On Easter Monday, Bloemendaal supplemented the already bulging trophy cupboard with the fifth title within the Euro Hockey League. The defending champion, who was the primary group in EHL historical past to delay his title, was lord and grasp within the ultimate in opposition to the German Rot-Weiss Köln (4-0). The Mussen gave ‘Mister EHL’ Florian Fuchs the main position in his departure from the European stage.
The 31-year-old German Fuchs was extensively congratulated and hugged by his teammates afterwards. That was proper. Not solely due to his big half within the victory over Rot-Weiss Köln – Fuchs was concerned in all (!) Bloemendaal objectives – however particularly as a tribute to the unprecedented efficiency of the sleek attacker on the highest European high degree.
Fuchs performed his seventh (!) ultimate of the EHL on Monday within the Wagener Stadium, of which he gained 5. He was within the ultimate with UHC Hamburg 4 occasions, leaving the sector twice with the cup. On Monday he performed the ultimate battle with Bloemendaal for the third time. He gained all these finals. A singular profitable streak, which ends for Fuchs as a result of the German will cease taking part in high hockey after this season. He shall be missed due to his stunning dribbles, fantastic objectives and unsurpassed profitable mentality. As well as, together with his exemplary and sporty habits, Fuchs is a jewel for the hockey sport.
Emotional pep speak
With all his expertise, the German veteran is aware of higher than anybody what it takes to carry out on the supreme second. That was an virtually emotional pep speak to his teammates earlier than Saturday’s ultimate. Within the pre-match huddle, Fuchs delivered a riveting motivational speech that appeared to come back straight from the guts. The German touched precisely the fitting chord together with his teammates, who then performed a powerful ultimate with their Fuchsie within the main position.
The primary quarter of the EHL ultimate was one as they usually do in essential video games. The groups scanned one another and turned it right into a recreation of chess. Defensively, each groups have been rock strong, with the German formation particularly having to make use of its defensive qualities as a result of Bloemendaal had the ball way more usually.
The 1000’s of spectators within the well-filled Wagener Stadium lastly noticed a possibility on the ultimate day of the EHL. Midway by the primary quarter Arthur van Doren despatched a deep ball. Two Rot-Weiss gamers missed, after which it was simple for Thierry Brinkman to get a penalty nook. That was pushed arduous and low by Tim Swaen, nevertheless it took high goalie Vincent Vanasch little effort to place his clog in opposition to the ball. Van Doren’s rebound lacked the conviction to hit the purpose.
Nevertheless, the spell was rapidly damaged within the second quarter. Rot-Weiss Köln first cleared a penalty nook, however Bloemendaal scored from the motion that adopted. A backhand shot by Floris Wortelboer was cracked by teammate Fuchs, who retained possession and skilfully lifted the ball in the direction of the German purpose. Vanasch first acquired assist from the crossbar, however Jorrit Croon’s rebounded ball was performed in opposition to the ropes: 1-0.
Hit Fuchs
Seventeen minutes had been performed by then. Seven minutes later it was already 2-0. Glenn Schuurman began the assault, Jasper Brinkman steamed into the circle from the fitting and put the ball again. As so usually in his profession, Fuchs was in the fitting place and fired with willpower.
Bloemendaal was on steam and needed to complete the job earlier than halftime. Mathijssen’s group additionally received loads of alternatives for that from the top of the circle. However no matter Teun Beins and his teammates tried specifically, Vanasch and his defenders have been to not be outdone once more.
That was good for the sport, as a result of it additionally stored the second half thrilling, though Rot-Weiss Köln, which was nonetheless 2-1 too robust for Kampong on Friday, had little or no to contribute. Within the third quarter there was just one group that performed hockey, received probabilities and penalty corners, however didn’t rating.
Usually you shouldn’t try this in opposition to a German group. However Bloemendaal might afford it, as a result of the ability distinction between the 2 groups was just too nice. It was subsequently no shock that it additionally turned 3-0 within the fourth quarter. And who else however Mister EHL similar took the nook, which – lastly – was appreciated by Jasper Brinkman. The defender slammed the ball arduous into the board.
And if the Fuchs present wasn’t large enough, the attacker additionally accounted for 3 quarters of the 4-0 with an exquisite solo. Solely Roel Bovendeert was allowed to tug the set off: 4-0.
Within the final second, Fuchs additionally appeared to crown his nice efficiency with an exquisite tip-in. However within the whistle, the attacker hit the bar after a go by Thierry Brinkman. It shouldn’t spoil the enjoyable. Fuchs celebrated the victory get together together with his fellow gamers and a whole bunch of Bloemendaal followers. For the final time.
Bloemendaal – Rot-Weiss Köln 4-0 (2-0)
17′ 1-0 Jorrit Croon
24′ 2-0 Florian Fuchs
51′ 3-0 Jasper Brinkman
56′ 4-0 Roel Bovendeert
