By DPA,
Beijing : A lone goal midway through the first half was enough to secure Germany the gold medal by beating Spain at the Olympic men’s hockey tournament here Saturday.
Christopher Zeller’s strike in the 16th minute gave the Germans their first Olympic title in the event since the Barcelona Games in 1992.
“It was just a regular corner. I lashed out, and the ball flew into the net,” said Zeller.
Captain Timo Weiss was overjoyed that his team had won gold after taking the bronze medal in Athens four years ago. “After my sister’s wedding, today is the happiest day of my life,” he said.
Earlier, Australia crushed the Netherlands 6-2 to win bronze.
Australia were three up after nine minutes and were always in control of the game that was a re-run of the 2004 final in Athens, which the Australians also won.
Eddie Ockenden opened the scoring after 5 minutes and added another one minute later before Luke Abbot made it 3-0. The Dutch pulled two back through Taeke Taekema and Toyn de Nooijer before Eli Matheson made it 4-2 seven minutes before half-time.
Second-half goals by Rob Hammond and Luke Doerner completed the rout to leave the Dutch without an Olympic medal for the first time since the Barcelona Games in 1992.
Earlier, Great Britain beat South Korea 5-2 to secure fifth place. All goals fell in the second half as a brace from Jonty Clarke proved the British turning point after opening goals from Barry Middleton and Jang Jong Hyun.
Further British goals came from Ashley Jackson and Glenn Kirkham, while Hyun Hye Sung got the Koreans’ second.
China earlier beat South Africa 4-3 in extra time in the match for 11th place, the golden goal winner coming off a penalty corner from captain Song Yi, his third goal of the match.
New Zealand had already ended the tournament seventh on Thursday with a 4-2 win over Pakistan, while Belgium ended 9th after beating Canada 3-0.