Australia equalled Germany’s record for the most titles won in Champions Trophy history by lifting its ninth one.
In the highly anticipated final of the Champions Trophy in Rotterdam, Australia, led by Jamie Dwyer, the World Hockey Player of the Year, defeated Spain 4-1 to claim its ninth title. Australia, thus, tied Germany for the most titles won in Champions Trophy history.
Australia put the pressure on Spain early by scoring in the fifth minute through Desmond Abbott, who fired home the rebound off a shot to the crossbar. Xavi Ribas soon equalised for Spain with a powerful drag-flick that Stephen Lambert got his stick to but could not stop. Thereafter, the match became intense as the two teams played at a fast pace. Both Australia and Spain had a number of scoring opportunities but failed to break the deadlock in the first half. Australia finally went ahead in the 52nd minute through a penalty stroke converted by Jamie Dwyer.
Spain soon started upping the pressure even at the risk of exposing its goal. Australia capitalised on the situation to pump in two more goals in the final 10 minutes. Eddie Ockenden finished a Kiel Brown cross with a hard hit to the boards and then Eli Matheson slotted the last goal with a hard reverse-stick shot in the final minute. Earlier in the day, Argentina wrestled down the Netherlands on penalty strokes after the regulation time ended 2-2 to claim the bronze medal. Germany defeated South Korea 3-1 to take the fifth place.
Juan Manuel Vivaldi of Argentina (Best Goalkeeper), Florian Keller of Germany (Top Scorer), Eddie Ockenden of Australia (Most Promising Young Player) and Jamie Dwyer, also of Australia, (Best Player of the Tournament) won individual awards. Spain won the Fair Play Trophy.
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