Amstelveen, Aug 24: Holland would meet Australia in the final of Champions trophy here today. India meet Pakistan in the playoff for the bronze medal. The Netherlands completed Germany’s whitewash in the men’s Champions Trophy field hockey tournament here on Saturday to set up a final showdown with Australia.
The Dutch, who had already qualified for today's final, came away 6-0 winners as Germany failed to improve on their winless record. The Germans have fielded a development team in these championships as the senior squad rests for next weekend’s European Nations tournament which acts as a qualifier for the 2004 Olympics.
And German coach Bernhard Peters said his players were overawed by the occasion. “The players were nervous before this match because they have not played before a large crowd and against big-name Dutch players like Teun de Nooijer,” said Peters. “They were too timid and too shy to play hard and with pressure when we had nothing to lose and I don’t understand that,” Peters said.

Lomans converted two of three first penalty corners in the first half with Karel Klaver finishing de Nooijer’s swathing solo run into the circle. De Nooijer made two goals in the second half. On the first he worked possession into the circle and received a deflection off Alexander Sahmel into goal inside the right post from the left side of the circle. On the second, de Nooijer was unmarked at the top of the circle to drive in. Floris Evers completed the scoring in the last 10 seconds of play, popping the ball over Christian Schulte in goal for Germany.
Lomans had three more penalty corner chances in the second half without success. Bellaart warned that the Dutch were saving their best for the final “Tomorrow we’ll win and there’ll be lots of goals,” said the Dutch coach. “I haven’t been completely satisfied with our defensive efforts in this tournament and tomorrow it needs to be a different cake.
“If our defence can play like they played last year they will give the Netherlands a chance to win against Australia,” added Bellaart. India meet Pakistan in the playoff for the bronze medal.

Bureau Report