WCC: Germany Wins Cup And Berth In 2004 Champions Trophy 
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| International Hockey Federation |
July 13, 2003 
FIH
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Final: Germany ? Spain 3-1 (1-0)
Germany
10? No. 3 ? KLECKER, Denise (PC)
62? No. 5 ? ERNSTING-KRIENKE, Nadine (FG)
70? No. 5 ? ERNSTING-KRIENKE, Nadine (FG)
Spain
37? No. 17 ? CAMON, Nuria (FG)
The first half of today?s final was mostly Germany?s, their first goal resulting from a penalty corner in the 10th minute by Denise Klecker. As Spain struggled to keep up, they were equal in field play, but could not create scoring opportunities like the Germans could, for example through two very close attempts by Fanny Rinne and Kerstin Hoyer, and a shot by Natascha Keller that was parried sensationally by Spanish goalkeeper Maria Jesús Rosa.
Right after the restart of the game after the break, Spain?s dominating player today, Nuria Camón, made a magnificent dash into the circle, running slalom through several German defenders and scooping the ball over goalkeeper Yvonne Frank for the 1-1. After the equalizer, the game got increasingly rough, with constant pushing and shoving as well as several clashes. Two green cards were dealt out before Nuria Camón was sent of the pitch with the yellow card that was inevitable ? it was only a question of who would get it. The Spanish appeared a bit forlorn without their best player, but held their ground.
The Spanish were complete again when Nadine Ernsting-Krienke scored the spectacular 2-1, deflecting a shot into the circle from the left into the top right corner of the goal, leaving goalkeeper Maria Jesús Rosa absolutely no chance to react. Spain tried for the equalizer, but couldn?t get anywhere, when, with 45 seconds to go, Nadine Ernsting-Krienke crushed all their hopes with the third goal for Germany, repeating her earlier move, again deflecting a shot from the left side past the goalkeeper.
Germany thus takes the 2nd Champions Challenge?s gold medal and simultaneously wins a berth in the 2004 edition of hockey?s most prestigious annual event, the Champions Trophy, to be held in Rosario, Argentina.
Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament: STORRAR, Margaret (USA)
Best Player of the Tournament: KLECKER, Denise (GER)
Top Scorer of the Tournament: KOMORI, Tomomi (JPN)
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