Olympic Games: Hockey dispute has repercussions: “There is no greater disgrace”

The German hockey team could not completely forget the anger over the bad outburst of the Dutchman Duco Telgenkamp, ​​even during their long night of partying in Paris. “I will not demand a ban,” said national coach André Henning the day after the heated end of the Olympic final: “That is not my job. The public criticism he is now receiving is already hard enough.”

Telgenkamp had already apologized online for his inappropriate behavior, said the German head coach. However, he had not done so in person the evening before. “I can imagine that Duco went too far in his emotions. It was certainly over the top, but the hockey world will certainly not end because of it,” said Henning.

After the final between Germany and the Netherlands (1:3 in a penalty shootout), 22-year-old Telgenkamp proved to be a particularly bad winner. He stood in front of German goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg and put his index finger over his mouth. He then grabbed the goalkeeper’s helmet. In response to this action, there was a scuffle and verbal exchanges with several players from both teams.

Telgenkamp had previously converted the decisive penalty to give the Netherlands their Olympic victory, while the German world champions team only received silver. The team celebrated this from a distance but still exuberantly with the fans in a bar in the city center.

Dutchman is insulted on social media

“Apparently he had a lot of fuses blown. My deepest condolences for such unsportsmanlike conduct,” said Danneberg. “The fans booed him when he received the medal. There is no greater disgrace.”

At the awards ceremony, Telgenkamp seemed visibly surprised that he was booed loudly. “It hurt me for him,” said 40-year-old Henning. After all, he had completely ruined the greatest moment of his career for himself. The Dutchman was also badly abused on social media for his misconduct.

Telgenkamp’s action was triggered by statements made by Danneberg before the final between the two arch rivals. “We’re going into it with our heads held high because I think the Dutch are really scared of us,” said the German goalkeeper. Telgenkamp and his teammates felt provoked by this.

“I shouldn’t have done that, it was the emotions,” said Telgenkamp remorsefully. “It wasn’t smart of me to go to the goalkeeper again. I mean, we won and I shouldn’t let myself get carried away like that.”

After the apology, the unpleasant incident is largely over for the German team, and there is no indication of a penalty from the world association. “We will be able to put that behind us and we are happy for the Dutch. We congratulated them too,” said Henning.

Men’s hockey team aims for next gold

After the bitter defeat, the team is now facing a sporting upheaval. “The careers of important players will certainly end. That means the story of this special team has now come to an end with a dramatic, sad final chapter,” said Henning. Striker Niklas Wellen will probably retire from the national team, and other experienced players are likely to follow. “We will attack again at the European Championships at home next summer and also in the future towards LA,” said the head coach.

Of course, at the upcoming Summer Games in Los Angeles in four years’ time, they will try to finally repeat the last Olympic victory from 2012. “The boys will still be hurting for weeks, months, or even until their last day, about missing out on gold,” said Henning. “But ultimately, we have had an incredible journey.” Within 18 months, the German selection won the World Cup final in India and failed in the narrowest of ways at the Olympics, just short of their big goal.