Germany had to make up for a 2-0 loss against Belgium, as did a 4-3 semi-final win over Australia. Belgium, who eliminated the Netherlands after shoot-outs in the semi-finals, were on target twice in the space of two minutes in the first quarter. Florent van Abel opened the scoring with a volley, then Tanguy Gossins worked in Antoine Guina’s cross to make it 2-0.

Germany had the best chance to level the scores in the second quarter with a penalty kick. However, his teammate at KHC Rot-Weiss, Vincent Vanach, was unable to get the ball past the goalkeeper Tom Krampus. Nicklaus Wellen made it 2-1 just before half-time after a penalty corner.

Germany turned the deficit into a lead after the break. Natural Argentine Gonzalo Peillat left Vanasch without a penalty corner opportunity, then Mats Grambusch made it 3-2 with a difficult angle in the last quarter. Less than two minutes later, Tom Boon sealed the shoot-outs from a penalty corner.

Germany brought in 20-year-old keeper Jean Danneberg, the goalkeeper behind Vanash in Cologne. Danneberg made several saves and then a mistake by Gossins gave Germany their third world title. The team previously won the World Champions in 2002 and 2006.

Earlier, Orange won bronze. National coach Jeroen Delmy’s team beat Australia 3-1 in the third place match.