TOKYO (DPA) – German hockey men have made a successful start to the Olympic tournament in Tokyo with hopes of an inevitable victory.

National coach Kais Al Sadisowran’s team won against Canada with a 7:1 (4:1) win and also made up for goal difference in the end. Lukas Windfeder and Kristofer Ruhr (both 2) as well as Martin Hainer, Niklas Böserhoff and Mats Grambusch (all 1) scored clearly for better DHB selection in the second group game on Monday (2.30 pm/CEST). was clear. More will be needed against world champions Belgium. The Rio runners-up beat the Netherlands 3–1 at the start of the European Championship.

Saadi as coach sees potential for improvement

Goalkeeper Boeserhoff said with satisfaction that “we still saw room for improvement” despite the smooth success that coach Al Saadi said today. However, the DHB team, traveling to Japan with nine Olympic bronze medalists, did not give the Canadians a chance in the opening match, who was looked after by German Andre Henning.

One of the few shots from the German goal in Keegan Pereira’s 1–1 draw (16th minute) caused brief confusion. Windfeder scored two penalty hits and Ruhr, who could hardly be stopped in the first half, started the win with two goals each. In the end, it could have been even more in favor of the Germans.

This Sunday (2.30 a.m. / CEST) for the first time ever, DHB women intervene in Olympic events. The first rival of Xavier Reckinger’s team is then the team of Great Britain.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210724-99-508065/4