Despite failing at the last hurdle, Germany coach said the future bodes well for his young side.

By Adarsh Vinay

Though Australia triumphed 2-1 in the hockey World Cup final, Germany coach Markus Weise hailed the two teams for putting up a great show.

“It was a close game for both sides as finals of big tournaments tend to be. We played well and at 1-1, we had the chance to go on and win the game. But Australia was the better team tonight. They thoroughly deserve to be world champions,” he said.

Moritz Furste, who scored the equaliser for Germany, agreed with his coach. “It was a close game for both sides. In big games like this, one or two moments tend to decide the winner. At 1-1, it could have gone either way but Australia deserve it. They are the strongest team in the world at the moment,” said the 25-year-old.

Weise believes that it is more than just the desire that make the Aussies the world’s best side. “It’s more than hunger. There are hungrier teams than them. It is their pace, their physicality and their approach that sets the Australian side apart. Whether it is the counters or the penalty corners, they have everything you need to win a big tournament.”

The German coach added that his young side shouldn’t be too disappointed with the loss. “To be the youngest side in the tournament and come this far is no mean feat. It only bodes well for the future of German hockey. The team will benefit from this experience in the future,” concluded Weise.