Hockey European Championship live ticker: German men play against Spain for the European Championship final

The scenario for his departure from the national hockey team couldn't be better. After the expected semifinals with Germany's biggest European Championship win in 47 years, Mats Grambusch still has two games left with the DHB team. In his hometown of Mönchengladbach, the 32-year-old will definitely play for a medal on Saturday at the Hockey Park after 14 years in the national team uniform – ideally for gold in the final against the Netherlands.

"Sure, I could have a perfect finish here. But step by step. First, we have the semifinal against Spain, and they're incredibly dangerous," said the captain after the joyous goal-scoring in the 10-0 win against Poland. He himself initiated the goal fest with a goal after 72 seconds. "You don't score ten goals very often in international competition. But if we think this game will help us for the semifinal against Spain, then we're wrong."

The team is under caution ahead of this Thursday's clash with the two-time European champions (8:00 p.m./Magenta TV). Firstly, Germany lost its last matches against Spain in the ProLeague and at the Olympics, and secondly, it also missed the semifinals at the European Championships two years ago in Mönchengladbach. The star player back then: Mats Grambusch, who missed the decisive penalty shootout.

Defending champions Netherlands are likely to be ready for the winner of the match – provided the Olympic champions can prevail in the first semifinal on Thursday (5:00 p.m.) against France, who surprisingly advanced to the semifinals. Belgium and England, the 2023 European Championship runners-up and third-place finishers, have already been eliminated.

Ultimately, the captain's well-being doesn't depend on the outcome of the European Championship. Of course, the first European title in twelve years would perfectly round off the story. After all, he was there back then. The World Cup title and Olympic silver medals followed in the past two years. "I'm incredibly happy with what I've been able to achieve with this team. Even the defeats we've suffered over the years have taught me so much," said the player with jersey number 3.

The number has a special meaning for him. "When I was three years old, I used to sit in the stands at Gladbacher HTC and watch women's hockey . And for my third birthday, the team gave me a jersey with the number 3 on it. That's why I've almost always worn the number 3 and never want to give it up."

He'll be able to wear it twice more for the DHB, which has already had to cope with several departures recently. "It's always a huge loss when such experienced players retire. Mats has a very special role within the team . That's why he's still with us despite his family and offspring," said sporting director Martin Schultze, who isn't the only one wishing his captain a successful end to his career. "Of course, we're longing for a final here on Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd, ideally against the Netherlands, as a rematch of the Olympics," said Schultze. And then perhaps even with the number 3 as the match winner.