Indoor: Germans, Dutch through to world hockey final
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| Planet Field Hockey |
February 9, 2003
Independent Online
> Page Views 5550
Leipzig, Germany - Germany's women team booked their place in the final of the first ever indoor hockey world championships with a 12-2 victory over France on Saturday, setting up a final against the Netherlands.
Britta Becker and Fanny Rinne paced the German team, winner of 10 of the 11 European indoor hockey titles, with three goals.
The French defence kept the Germans, who came in averaging 14 goals per contest after the group stage, scoreless until Britta Becker converted an 11th-minute corner for the first goal. Franziska Gude made it 2-0 in the 14th, Melanie Cremer then scored in the 19th and Becker in the final minute.
The second half was all Germany as eight different Germans players collected goals. Aurelie Morin scored for the French in the 32nd minute and Peggy Bergere added the team's second goal on the final play of the game.
"We really fed off the crowd today. They were a big help, even though we struggled a little early," said Germany player Stefanie Hiepen.
The Netherlands reached Sunday's final by beating the Czech Republic 5-1 behind team captain Johanna Schopman's two goals.
The Czechs pulled ahead in the eighth minute through Karolina Mikesoval, but Schopman answered just a minute later and then gave her team the lead just before the break.
Sabine Romkes doubled the Holland lead in the 26th, Minke Smabers scored a minute later and Maartje Goderie added the final goal on a counterattack in the 39th minute.
In the men's semifinals later on Saturday, Germany will look to extend their all-time international unbeaten streak to 120 games against France. Poland also faces Switzerland
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