Germany won Olympic men's hockey gold

Players of Germany celebrate victory during the men's hockey gold medal match Germany vs Spain of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at Olympic Green Hockey Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. Germany beat Spain 1-0 and got the gold medal. (Xinhua/Li Yong)


World No. 2 Germany won the gold medal of the Olympic men's hockey tournament here on Saturday, defeating Spain 1-0.

It was the Germany's first gold since the Barcelona Games in 1992.

Germany did not take a 1-0 lead until the 16th minute when Christopher Zeller converted a penalty corner.

Though Spain tried hard to crack down the German defence, they were finally denied a goal. Germany held on 1-0 to the very end.

Spain, the silver medallists at Atlanta Games in 1996, repeated their medal tonight. Ranked fourth in the world, they came in the final as astonishers, ousting world champions Australia 3-2 in the semifinals Thursday.