Efficient Germany secure gold

Christopher Zeller scored to give Germany a 1-0 win over Spain in the men's field hockey gold-medal match...

Christopher Zeller scored to give Germany a 1-0 win over Spain in the men8217;s field hockey gold-medal match on Saturday. He found the net from a penalty corner in the 19th minute, and captain Timo Wess led a suffocating defence that handled the rest.

The Germans had last won gold in 1992. Spain added to the silver medals they won in 1980 and 1996. 8220;It was no special thing,8221; Zeller said of the goal. 8220;The whole tournament, they penalty corners weren8217;t good for me. Now, it was the right time to make the goal. Fortunately, we made it.8221;

Zeller said the defensive effort was the key. 8220;I think the whole team worked together,8221; he said. 8220;We work as one team. There are no individual players. I think that was the key 8212; everybody fighting for the other team mates.8221;

Germany, the reigning world champions, nearly increased their 1-0 lead over Spain midway through the second half. Spain goalkeeper Francisco Cortes denied Matthias Witthaus, and another German shot hit the left goal post. Spain nearly leveled the match, but Santiago Freixa8217;s shot on a penalty corner with about 10 minutes to play sailed wide left.

Spain8217;s Pol Amat said his team knew it would need to make the most of its chances to win. 8220;We knew what we had to do when Germany were over us,8221; he said. 8220;I think always when you are not good on penalty corners, you lose. We had enough corners today to score.8221;

Spain8217;s comeback attempt took a hit when Sergi Enrique was sent off with a yellow card in the 63rd minute. Now, Germany have claimed their ninth field hockey medal, including those won as West Germany. 8220;It is beautiful and crazy,8221; Wess said. 8220;We played our best hockey tonight.8221;

Aussies win bronze

Australia won their fourth Olympic men8217;s hockey bronze on Saturday, beating the Netherlands 6-2. The Aussies8217; fresh and impulsive attack left the reigning world champions looking tired and short of ideas.