Germany came up with the biggest upset of the competition with a 4-3 win over Holland, but their victory came too late as it failed to get the side into the medal race in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament at Lahore on Friday.
The win took Germany's point tally to four, same as that of India, but the Europeans failed to qualify for the bronze medal playoff on the basis of goal difference. The difference was -4 for India and -6 for Germany.
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Holland, who had already qualified for the final before coming to the match, would play the final against Spain while the playoff for 3-4 positions will be held between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.
Germany showed fighting qualities, which they lacked throughout the tournament, to emerge victorious against the defending champions, who probably paid the price for taking their inexperienced opponents a bit too lightly.
Nick Meijer (9th), Roderick Weusthof (35th) and Taeke Taekema (41st) gave Holland the lead thrice but the side failed to hold on to the advantage for long as Germany drew parity on each occasion through Jan-Marco Montag (18th), Oliver Hentschel (37th) and Michael Purps (60th).
Holland stepped on the gas to take the lead in the last few minutes but it was Germany who slammed home the winner three minutes before close through Christian Wein to script the first win for his side.
