Spain deservedly took the win against Germany in their first game of the India leg of the FIH project 24/25. The redsticks dominated nearly the entire match and found their reward in the last minute, when Berta Agulló scored the winning goal by beating the German goalkeeper.
As the game kicked off, Patricia Álvarez made an individual play that almost opened the scoreboard. Shortly after, a good flick by Paula Jiménez connected with Clara Badia, who managed to provoke the first corner penalty for the redsticks. However, Estel Petchamé’s shot was stopped by Nathalie Kubalski with the tip of her foot. A good counter-attack, led by Marta along the bottom line on the right wing, put the German defense in trouble. With just a minute left in the first quarter, Germany had its best opportunity, but the ball crossed the area without finding a buyer. The first quarter ended with a score of 0-0, but Spain controlled the defense and caused danger to the rival area.
The second quarter saw great play by Paula Fernández, who almost assisted Patricia Álvarez. In the next play, Estel Petchamé created danger on the right side, but the double opportunity did not yield a goal. The two teams went to the locker rooms with the initial score of 0-0, but with the feeling that Spain controlled the game and had the mechanisms to take the lead.
In the 5th minute of the second half, Spain finally won the reward for its game. Estel Petchamé managed to get into the area from the right side of the Spanish attack and shot past Kubalski to make it 1-0. Clara Pérez had to intervene with a meritorious stop, first with her hand and then with her foot, to clear the danger. Spain responded with an individual play by Marta Segú, who went for speed and made the rival goalkeeper look. Very intense moments followed, with the first corner penalty for the Germans arriving, which Clara Pérez rejected by throwing herself to the ground. Germany squeezed for the first time in the game and obtained its reward in the last minute of the half. Lena Micheel left Sophia Schwabe in front of Clara Pérez, and although Pérez stopped the first shot, the rebound allowed Schwabe to score the equalizer, making it 1-1.
In the last quarter, Spain recovered its best game and caused a corner penalty in the 50th minute, but the defense came out very fast and diverted the shot of Lucía Jiménez. Another PC in the next play saw Paula Jiménez’s pass to her sister Lucía, who could not score. The redsticks dominated and insistently sought the victory goal.
With five minutes left, Patricia Álvarez requested a review and possible penalty stroke for a push before she could finish off, but the umpire’s video did not prove her right. In the next clear play for Germany, which did not yield a result, Rogoski offered Berta Agulló a perfect counter-attack, and Agulló defined perfectly in front of the German goalkeeper to score the winning goal, giving the redsticks the victory.
Match Highlights
The match was intense, with both teams creating opportunities. Spain’s dominance was evident, but Germany’s defense held strong until the last minute. The equalizer by Sophia Schwabe gave Germany hope, but Berta Agulló’s goal sealed the win for Spain.
The win is a significant boost for Spain, who look to continue their strong performance in the India leg of the FIH project 24/25. With their dominant game and relentless pursuit of the victory goal, the redsticks showed they are a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.