Germany’s 10thappearance in the final saw them winning their eighth title, when they defeated first-time finalists Spain and defended their crown at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 in Chennai on Wednesday.
The 13-day event, which began on November 28 and was held in Chennai and Madurai as the two host cities, concluded with a fitting finale that was decided in a shootout.
The last day of the tournament also saw two-time winners India defeating Argentina in the third-place match to finish on the podium with a bronze medal.
Here’s an account of the last action from the 14thedition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup.
France vs New Zealand (Full-Time Score: 4-1)
After back-to-back podium finishes, France had to be content with only a 7thplace this time, which they accomplished with a convincing 4-1 win over New Zealand in Chennai.
Utilizing their two penalty corners in the first quarter, France’s Gabin Lorrazuri put his team in front in the 2ndminute and the lead was doubled 11 minutes later by Victor Saint-Martin.
The Black Sticks got their defence in order for the next 15 minutes, but couldn’t make use of their chances, which included their first penalty corner of the match before half-time.
France’s position was made more comfortable at 3-0 in the third quarter by Tom Gaillard’s 41stminute strike. The last 15 minutes produced some near-misses for both the sides, before New Zealand produced their first goal late in the script off their star of the tournament Jonty Elmes in the 59thminute.
However, the French were not done yet and used the remaining seconds to go ahead 4-1 as Gaillard scored his second goal of the game.
“I think today we deserved this win. We were strong, defended very well and we scored. I am really happy for the team. It’s a good way to finish this tournament, maybe a little bit disappointed with the (overall) result,” said France captain Gaspard Denis.
Belgium vs Netherlands [Full-Time Score: 3 (4) – 3 (3)]
The two European giants, who missed another chance of winning their maiden Men’s Junior World Cup, entertained the crowd at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium with a thrilling encounter that went to a shootout to decide the 5th place.
The game began with Belgium bossing play in the first two quarters, led by the stick of Hugo Labouchere, which gave the Belgians a 2-0 lead. The first goal came in the 18thminute off a penalty stroke and the second in the 30thminute off a penalty corner. However, the Dutch struck just before the half-time hooter through Thies Bakker to stay close at 2-1.
It was then the turn of the Netherlands to dictate play in the third quarter, towards the end of which they went past Belgium to lead 3-2, as skipper Casper van der Veen and Joppe Wolbert provided the finishing touches in the 43rdand 44thminutes.
Taken aback by the Dutch rally, Belgium kept searching for the equaliser as the clock ticked closer to full time. But Labouchere once again produced the goods for his team on a penalty corner in the 58thminute to complete his hat-trick; but more importantly, it took the game to a shootout at 3-3.
It was then left to the goalkeeper and the five attackers on each side to out-skill each other for a win. The 1-on-1 battle was eventually decided by the two saves made by Belgium goalkeeper Alexis van Havere to foil the first two Dutch attempts taken by van der Veen and Wolbert before Kjell Plantenga put the ball in the goal. But that couldn’t prevent Belgium from taking a 3-1 lead in the shootout, as Lucas Balthazar, Guerlain Hawaux and Maximilian Langer beat the Netherlands’s custodian Nieki Verbeek.
That required Belgium to convert only one of their two remaining attempts, which Nicolas Bogaerts did after Mathias Francois was denied – leaving the Dutch conversions by Jan van’t Land and Bakker futile.
“It was very important for us to finish on a strong note. Finishing fifth is not exactly what we wanted but it’s a good way to end with a win over the Netherlands. We played a very strong game and showed everything we wanted,” said Belgium captain Balthazar. “I think the coach will be happy with the performance looking at the bigger picture and how we grew in this tournament.”
India vs Argentina (Full-Time Score: 4-2)
Putting behind the disappointment of a semi-final defeat, the Indian crowd in Chennai eventually burst into celebrations on Wednesday after their cheers were muted by the Argentines for three quarters. A dream comeback by the Indian team overturned a 0-2 deficit to score as many as four goals in the last 15 minutes to register a famous win and clinch the third place for a bronze medal.
A penalty stroke in the third minute for the Argentines put India behind when Nicolas Rodriguez converted from the spot. A fighting second quarter didn’t produce any goals, which kept the South Americans in front at 1-0 at half-time.
Despite India dominating the third quarter, showcased by the four penalty corners they earned, it was Argentina who scored once again in the 44thminute, with Santiago Fernandez slotting the ball in for 2-0.
The Indians had their backs to the wall in the last quarter but gave it their all and produced breathtaking hockey – led by three penalty-corner conversions. Ankit Pal pulled one back in the 49thminute and three minutes later Manmeet Singh scored off another set-piece to make the game even at 2-2.
With the clock racing, in the 57thminute, a penalty stroke gave India a golden chance to go ahead, and Sharda Nand Tiwari made no mistakes for a 3-2 lead. With a spring in their step and the momentum on their side, India earned their seventh penalty corner in the 58thminute and Anmol Ekka grabbed the opportunity to complete India’s rally and seal the game at 4-2.
“It’s fantastic. At least we have a medal (to show), though we missed making it to the final. Finishing on the podium is a great milestone for these youngsters,” said India coach PR Sreejesh. “The starting of the tournament was a bit easier for us in terms of the competition we faced, but when it came to the quarterfinal, it was nail-biting. But the semifinal was not up to the mark. We couldn’t perform what we discussed or planned. But in this match, down 0-2 and then to come back in the fourth quarter and win 4-2, credit goes to the players. They stood tall.”
Final: Germany vs Spain [Full-Time Score: 1 (3) – 1 (2)]
Germany extended their record of Men’s Junior World Cup title wins to eight by holding their nerves to first take the final against Spain to full-time at 1-1 and then win it in the shootout, riding on their rising star Jasper Ditzer’s goalkeeping skills.
The nervousness of the teams was evident, as Spain were vying for their maiden title in their first final, while Germany wanted to defend their crown. The focus of both the teams was more on their defence, especially Germany after they took the lead in the 26thminute through Justus Warweg’s field goal.
But Spain managed to breach the German fortress three minutes after half-time as Nicolas Mustaros helped his side draw level at 1-1.
Neither of the teams could score off the penalty corners they created; Spain had five, all in the goalless first quarter that they dominated, while Germany earned three.
The shootout too went down to the wire, decided on the 10thattempt.
Germany got off to a poor start, with Jonas von Gersum and Warweg failing to beat the defences of goalkeeper Diego Palomero, who Spain brought in to replace Jan Capellades for the shootout. Spain’s Pere Amat too failed to make his team’s first attempt against German goalkeeper Ditzer count; but Pablo Roman scored to put his team ahead.
The Germans made things even when Benedikt Geyer converted their third attempt and Aleix Bozal missed for Spain. But it was Germany that handled pressure well, scoring off their last two attempts as well – thanks to Alec von Schwerin and captain Ben Hasbach. Though Spain kept themselves in with Juan Prado’s conversion, their crucial last attempt by Andres Medina was foiled by Ditzer, which sparked wild celebrations on the field and in the German dugout.
“Spain made it incredibly hard for us and we didn’t have the best of our days in possession and in the moments of transition. But then, the boys always believed in being able to win in the shootout, which we did,”said Germany’s coach Mirko Stenzelafter the title win. “It feels amazing, overwhelming as well. We didn’t really think about the seven titles that you mentioned. We are just celebrating the present one. Incredibly proud of the boys, coming back from probably not the best of the matches during this tournament or this year.”
To see all the match results,click here
FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 – 10th December
Result: Match 69
France 4-1 New Zealand
Player of the Match: Aristide Michaelis (FRA)
Umpires: Hideki Kinoshita (JPN) and Harry Collinson (ENG)
Result: Match 70
Belgium3 (4) – 3 (3) Netherlands
Player of the Match: Joppe Wolbert (NED)
Umpires: Bevan Nichol (NZL) and Rawi Anbananthan (MAS)
Result: Match 71
India 4-2 Argentina
Player of the Match: Anmol Ekka (IND)
Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA) and Ilanggo Kanabathu (MAS)
Result: Match 72
Final: Germany 1 (3) – 1 (2) Spain
Player of the Match: Jasper Ditzer (GER)
Umpires: Timothy Sheahan (AUS) and Daniel Veerman (NED)
The Challenger Trophy
Introduced by the FIH President Tayyab Ikram as a motivating incentive for the teams vying for the 17/24 places, the Challenger Trophy was won by Bangladeshwitha fighting5-4 win over Austria.
Individual Award Winners
Best Player and FIH Rising Star of the Year: Casper van der Veen (NED)
Hero Top Scorer: Amirul Islam (BAN)
Best Goalkeeper: Jasper Ditzer (GER)
Source: FIH.hockey
