Germany coach highlights shared leadership as a cornerstone of continued success

Playing its maiden final, Spain pushed seven-time champion Germany to the limit in the FIH junior men’s hockey World Cup here on Wednesday, before falling in the shootout to the reigning European champion.

Germany head coach Mirko Stenzel lauded Spain’s intensity and organisation.

“I think Spain played a very good match and probably had their heads up. We had trouble keeping them away from our ball and away from our goal. At times it was really hard to stay in possession for long periods, which is normally our strength. Spain did that better than we did,” he admitted.

Stenzel also praised his players — and particularly No. 1 goalkeeper Jasper Ditzer — for staying calm under pressure and turning the match around in the shootout.

“We relied on our players, the five shooters, and on goalkeeper Jasper. It’s an amazing feeling,” he said.

He highlighted shared leadership as a cornerstone of Germany’s continued success.

“I think part of it is the philosophy of shared leadership and shared responsibility within the team. There is a strong bond between the staff and players. Not that other teams don’t have it, but from the under-16 level onwards, we try to give players more responsibility and make the coaches less important,” he explained.

Stenzel added that Germany’s mindset — doing everything with passion and never taking anything for granted — was key to the team’s ability to rise to big moments.

“We do everything with confidence, with passion, and without taking anything for granted. I think that sometimes sets us apart — not always — but in a World Cup final, I’m just really happy that we had the luckier end.”