The Netherlands and Germany again compete for a title a year after the hot -tempered Olympic hockey final. This time in the European Championship final in Mönchengladbach. There is now no question of muscle language in the run -up. “There is nothing between the Netherlands and us.”
After the Germany’s semi-final won, the players drip through the media room one by one on Thursday evening, but Jean-Paul Danneberg is missing. The 22-year-old goalkeeper does not do interviews, as a moment later it is communicated along the line in Mönchengladbach.
More than a year ago, Danneberg was one of the protagonists in the Olympic final, which was won by the Netherlands after shoot-outs. After the winning goal of Duco Telgenkamp, the striker made a soothing gesture to the keeper.
Danneberg had said in the run -up to the final in Paris that the Dutch would be afraid of Germany. It was a statement that the Dutch team had printed and hung up.
According to coach André Henning, the fact that Danneberg does not speak to the media has nothing to do with the Netherlands. “He now wants to focus on keeping. What happened between him and Duco is a bit blown up. That is made bigger than he himself wanted.”
‘There is nothing between the Netherlands and us’
It will not come from a new meeting between Telgenkamp and Danneberg on Saturday. Telgenkamp lasted a break and is missing in Mönchengladbach. He and Danneberg, however, did the fight at the end of last year during a conversation in Amsterdam, where a Pro League match was played.
Henning thought that was wonderful. “I think it took them. For both it has led to a lot of attention. Maybe too much. They are about the same age. When Duco comes back, they may meet for another ten years. Then it is nice to get along with each other.”
Midfielder Thies Prinz, next season in the Netherlands under contract with Pinoké, sees that his teammate and Telgenkamp have found a way to deal with it. “There is nothing between the Netherlands and us in that area,” he says. “Yes, there is a battle on the field.”
The scar of the lost Olympic final is still visible. Henning: “It was an intense struggle and the Netherlands deserved to be Olympic champion. For me it is history. But the players have not forgotten it. They will be extra motivated.”
Germans designate the Netherlands as a favorite
There is little chance that this time the Dutch team can draw motivation from statements from the German camp. Prinz speaks of a dream final. “But it will be difficult. The Netherlands is of course the favorite.”
“Whether they will be afraid? I honestly don’t think so,” says Prinz. “They are Olympic champions, they have won the Pro League and have played this European Championship well every match. The Netherlands is the team to beat.”
Henning also designates the Netherlands as a clear favorite. “It is ok for me to be the underdog. They have been very good and stable for years. They deserve the status as a favorite and I hope we can challenge them.”
“Anyway, this will be a dream final. For your own audience, against the Netherlands and on a big tournament. How often do you play that game? It could just be that for many of us it will be a unique experience.”
The Netherlands and Germany Are Competing for a Title Again, a year after the heated Olympic Hockey Final. This time in the European Championship Final in Mönchengladbach. There is no muscle language in the run-up this time. “There is Nothing Between the Netherlands and Us.”
After Germany’s Won Semi-Final On Thorsday Evening, The Players Trickle Through The Media Room One by One, But Jean-Paul Danneberg is missing. The 22-year-old goalkeeper does not give interviews, it is announced later along the line in Mönchengladbach.
More than a year ago, Danneberg was one of the main players in the Olympic Final, which was won by the Netherlands after shoot-outs. After Duco Telgenkamp’s Winning Goal, The Striker Made a Soothing Gesture To The Keeper.
In the run-up to the final in Paris, Danneberg had Said that the Dutch would be afraid of Germany. It was a statement that the Dutch team had printed and hung up.
Accordance to coach André Henning, Danneberg’s Silence Towards The Media Has Nothing to Do with the Netherlands. “Hey now hens to focus on goalkeeping. What happened between him and duco back then has bone blown up. That has leg made bigger than he’s own.”
‘There is Nothing Between the Netherlands and Us’
There will be no new meeting between telgenkamp and danneberg on Saturday. Telgenkamp took a break and is absent in Mönchengladbach. However, he and Danneberg Settled the Dispute at the End of Last Year Turning a Conversation in Amsterdam, Where a Pro League Duel was played.
Henning Thought that was great. “I think it did them good. It has led to a lot of Attention for both of them. Maybe too much. They are about the same. If duco comes back, they might meet each other for another ten years. Then it’s nice to get along.”
Midfielder Thies Prinz, Under Contract With Pinoké in the Netherlands Next Season, Sees That His Teammate And Telgenkamp Have Found A Way to Deal With It. “There is Nothing Between the Netherlands and Us in That Area,” He says. “Yes, there is a battle, on the field.”
The Scar of the Lost Olympic Final is Still Visible. Henning: “It was an Intense Battle and Ultimately the Netherlands Deserved to Become Olympic Champion. For me it is history. But the players have not forgotten it. They will be extra motivated.”
Germans Point to the Netherlands As Favorites
The Chance is Small That The Dutch Team Can Draw Motivation from Statements from the German Camp This Time. Prinz Speaks of A Dream Final. “But it will be difficult. The Netherlands is of course the favorite.”
“Whether they will be afraid? I Honestly Don’t Think So,” Says Prinz. “They are Olympic Champions, They have the Pro League and Have Played Well in Every Match in this European Championship. The Netherlands is the team to beat.”
Henning also points to the Netherlands as the clear favorite. “It’s okay for me to be the underdog. They have bone very good and stable for years. They deserve the status as favorite and I hope we can challenge them.”
“Anyway, this will be a dream final. In front of our audience, against the Netherlands and at a major tournament. How ofe do you play that match? It could just be that this will be a unique experience for a many of us.”