A country that has been also deeply affected by II World War, a war that changed hockey's world frame, responsible for the brutally fall of several nations: Belgium, England, Netherlands and Germany, all deeply involved on this conflict, taking out human and infrastructure resources (a lot of rinks destroyed by bombs). In Germany it was a big hit, taking out of the hockey map the east (Bavaria and Berlin) and southeast (Stuttgart) parts, and keeping the strength in Renan North Westfalen, near the border with Netherlands, less afected by the bombs.
Hence, the fall of big clubs of Berlin, Nurnberg (who still has the most German championship titles in-a-row: six) and Stuttgart benefited the northwest region, who still has today the most percentage of clubs and where the strength of this sport never disappeared, as opposed to other regions/countries where hockey's prominence was destroyed with II World War. Around 95% of German clubs are located in this zone, which leads me to confirm that German hockey is, geographically speaking, a copy of Spain, Argentina and Italy, in order words, hockey is a regional sport, after national.
Speaking of beginning, the German national team begun to discuss on the first European and World championships but never won. Between the '20s and '30s has reached the second place in 1932 and 1934, third place in 1926 (first European tournament held) and 1930, fourth place in 1927, 1928 and 1929, and the first World Cup (also European Cup) organized in Stuttgart (1936).
Then came the war. The '40s and '50s were completely null in therms of international competition for Germans (reaching only a fourth place in European Cup '56 with one of the most known figures, Gerhard Theyssen, on fire), missing four World Cups (1947, 1948, 1949 and 1952). On the '60s the recover begun, giving to German hockey the most glorious decade, the '70s. Third place in European Cup '73 and fourth place in four World Cups in-a-row (1972 to 1978), joining other three fourth places in European Cups (1971, 1975 and 1977).
In the '80s the German hockey stagnated again, failing the '80 and '86 World Cups, despite the fourth place in '87 European Cup. From then, the Germans have reached more presences on international competitions but with more humble results (despite the fourth place in '92 European Cup). After 1986 and the World Cup B winning, Germany hold the '92 European Cup and the '97 World Cup (both in Wuppertal that has became, after II World War, the German's hockey cathedral), missing the World Cup A only in 2019, representing, perhaps, the end of the 2010-2020's golden generation.
Speaking of beginning, the German national team begun to discuss on the first European and World championships but never won. Between the '20s and '30s has reached the second place in 1932 and 1934, third place in 1926 (first European tournament held) and 1930, fourth place in 1927, 1928 and 1929, and the first World Cup (also European Cup) organized in Stuttgart (1936).
Then came the war. The '40s and '50s were completely null in therms of international competition for Germans (reaching only a fourth place in European Cup '56 with one of the most known figures, Gerhard Theyssen, on fire), missing four World Cups (1947, 1948, 1949 and 1952). On the '60s the recover begun, giving to German hockey the most glorious decade, the '70s. Third place in European Cup '73 and fourth place in four World Cups in-a-row (1972 to 1978), joining other three fourth places in European Cups (1971, 1975 and 1977).
In the '80s the German hockey stagnated again, failing the '80 and '86 World Cups, despite the fourth place in '87 European Cup. From then, the Germans have reached more presences on international competitions but with more humble results (despite the fourth place in '92 European Cup). After 1986 and the World Cup B winning, Germany hold the '92 European Cup and the '97 World Cup (both in Wuppertal that has became, after II World War, the German's hockey cathedral), missing the World Cup A only in 2019, representing, perhaps, the end of the 2010-2020's golden generation.
 |
| U17 team in 2019 European Cup, hold in Torres Vedras (Portugal) |
A generation whose strength was the group teamwork, more than the individual contribute. The rhythm was the biggest advantage, not only in national team but also in Germania Herringen, Iserlohn and Cronenberg, the most powerful clubs in Germany, nowadays. In European clubs competitions the Germans got close from the 'heavy weights'. Several draws (Germania against Sarzana, Valdagno and Juventude de Viana; Cronenberg against Vic and Iserlohn against Breganze) and tight defeats (Germania 7-5 against Viareggio; 11-7 and 9-7 against Forte dei Marmi; 9-5, 3-2 and 4-2 against Liceo and 4-3 against Benfica; Cronenberg 5-3 against Benfica and 5-2 against Barcelos; Iserlohn 3-1 against Viareggio), confirm the growth of German hockey.
Robin Schulz, Liam Hages, Luca's brothers, Kevin Karschau, Dominik Brandt and Timo Tegethoff, all playing in Germania Herringen; Mark Wochnik, Thomas Haupt and Jens Behrendt from Cronenberg; Andreas Paczia and Félix Bender from Iserlohn, where feature players in German's national team in the last 10 years.
Robin Schulz, Liam Hages, Luca's brothers, Kevin Karschau, Dominik Brandt and Timo Tegethoff, all playing in Germania Herringen; Mark Wochnik, Thomas Haupt and Jens Behrendt from Cronenberg; Andreas Paczia and Félix Bender from Iserlohn, where feature players in German's national team in the last 10 years.
 |
| RSC Cronenberg |
Joining this golden generation of German's hockey players came the massive internationalization of German championship, profiting from the 2008 financial crisis and hosting a lot of players from Latin countries (see table below). This quality growth allowed the development not only of German players but also the national squad, with some foreign players being integrated, as we have seen with the Portuguese players Sérgio Pereira and Jorge Fonseca (first appearance in Angola's 2013 World Cup).
In clubs matter, I would underline the Weil's and Friedlingen's success in...Swiss championship, due to proximity with Swiss border (both really close to Basel) and, on the opposite, very far from most of the top German clubs. Friedlingen had in their squad the Argentinian world stars José Luis and David Paez. Players that, for instance, never played in Portugal, one of the best championships since ever.
 |
| José Luis Paez jogando pelo Friedlingen |
FRAME:
Foreigners playing in German's championship (Dutch players not counting due to the Dutch team that also participate in this championship and because some Dutch players are playing in German teams located near the border)
2011/2012: 6
2012/2013: 12
2013/2014: 15
2014/2015: 18
2015/2016: 23
2015/2016: 23
The fourth place reached in 2010 European Cup (hold in Wuppertal) and 2014, and the fourth place in 2015 World Cup, have confirmed the good mood of German's hockey. Nowadays, like Swiss hockey, Germany's hockey stands in deeply uncertainty. A small negative fluctuation that, I would say, won't shake the work done in the last 10 years. The structure to keep the best level reached exists. Germany has nowadays around 1.500 players and 40 clubs.
Comentários