Chennai: Defending champions Germany clinched the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup 2025 title for a record eighth time, defeating Spain 3–2 in a shootout after the final ended in a 1–1 draw at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Wednesday.
With this victory, Germany also became back-to-back champions, underlining their dominance in junior men’s hockey. For Spain, who reached the World Cup final for the first time, the dream of lifting the title ended in heartbreak.
Germany showed remarkable composure under pressure. Despite conceding an equaliser after taking the lead and failing to score in their first two shootout attempts—both denied by Spanish goalkeeper Jan Capelades—the Germans held their nerve. Benedikt Zeyer, Alec van Scherwin and captain Ben Hasbach converted their chances to seal the title.
For Spain, Pablo Román scored in the second attempt and Juan Prado in the fourth, but misses from Pere Amat, Alexiz Bojil and Andres Medina proved costly in the shootout.
Germany had opened the scoring late in the first quarter when striker Justeg Verweg found the net. Spain responded in the third quarter through Nicolas Mastroz, who struck early to restore parity.
Both teams earned multiple penalty corners—Spain five and Germany three—but neither side could capitalise, thanks to resolute defending and outstanding goalkeeping. German goalkeeper Jesper Deijer and Spain’s Jan Capelades stood tall, allowing just one goal each during regulation time.
Germany’s triumph further cements their status as the most successful nation in the history of the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, while Spain, despite the loss, impressed throughout the tournament and signalled a bright future for their junior hockey programme.
