On Sunday, medal round matches of the 2023 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup culminated with Germany winning the gold after an intense shootout, here, we examine the final result, score, medal winners list, best performers, & award winners
Germany defeated Belgium to win the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 on the final day of play in Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium. After falling behind by two goals early in the first quarter, Germany battled back to force a shootout, where they prevailed 5-4 by maintaining their composure in the sudden death rounds.
FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 awards winners list, winner and runner-up prize money and final score
They did it!
The COMEBACK KINGS of #HWC2023 are crowned WORLD CHAMPIONS 💪
Insane scenes after the win #HockeyInvites #HockeyEquals #Germany #WorldCup @DHB_hockey pic.twitter.com/TSD1RGPkKo
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) January 29, 2023
2023 Men’s Hockey World Cup Germany vs Belgium final score, match events, winner, & other details
In their quest of becoming only the fourth team to successfully retain the FIH Hockey World Cup, Belgium started the final on high-note as they bagged two quick goals to secure 2-0 lead. For Belgium, Florent van Aubel scored the opening goal in the 10th minute and sixty seconds later, Simon Gougnard’s goal doubled the lead of Belgium. Just before the half-time, Germany converted their penalty corner thanks to Wellen, who guided the ball into the post fore reducing the deficit.
Although Germany were sluggish in the opening moments of the second-half, Gonzalo Peillat guided the team to restore parity through yet another penalty corner in the 41st minute. Later in the 48th minute, German skipper Mats Grambusch scored a field goal to complete their comeback and give his team lead of 3-2. Just as the match seemed to end as 3-2 victory for Germany, the reigning champions Belgium converted their first penalty corner to tie the score at 3-3 and force a penalty shootout.
During the shootout, both Germany and Belgium converted three of their first five attempts and hence, the shootout went to sudden-death. After the sixth shot of each team was converted, German player Thies Prinz scored the seventh take to put the pressure on Belgium. In response, Jean-Paul Danneberg saw his shot saved by the German keeper and consequently, Germany were crowned as world champions by score of 3-3 (5-4). Following this victory, Germany have won their third Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup, which has tied them with Australia and Netherlands.
Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2023: bronze medal match (29th January)
Australia 1-3 Netherlands: 4:30pm IST
Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2023: gold medal match (29th January)
Belgium 3-3 (4-5) Germany: 7:00pm IST
2023 Men’s Hockey World Cup: final positions
After winning the tournament, Germany are set to climb to the first position in the FIH World Rankings with bronze medalist Netherlands sitting in second place. Meanwhile, silver medalist Belgium have dropped to the third-place in the rankings with former top-ranked Australia dropping to the fourth position. Despite finishing in ninth position at the tournament, hosts India stay in sixth position of the world rankings.
| Rank | Team |
| 1 | Germany |
| 2 | Belgium |
| 3 | Netherlands |
| 4 | Australia |
| 5 | England |
| 6 | Spain |
| 7 | New Zealand |
| 8 | South Korea |
| 9 | Argentina |
| India | |
| 11 | South Africa |
| Wales | |
| 13 | France |
| Malaysia | |
| 15 | Chile |
| Japan |
Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023: list of award winners
Australia’s star-forward Jeremy Hayward finished as the top-scorer of 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup with nine goals that helped his team in fourth-place finish. At the tournament, German star Niklas Wellen has bagged the prestigious Odisha Best Player award, while his teammate Niklas Wellen won the Best Forward prize.
Fair Play Award: Team Belgium
Maximum Team Goals: Netherlands
Best Team Goal Celebration: Korea
Fan’s Choice Award: Christopher Rühr (Germany)
JSP Foundation Best Junior Player of the Tournament: Mustaphaa Cassiem (South Africa)
Hero Top Scorer: Jeremy Hayward (Australia)
JSW Best Goalkeeper: Vincent Vanasch (Belgium)
Best Defender: Jeremy Hayward (Australia)
Best Midfielder: Victor Wegnez (Belgium)
Best Forward: Niklas Wellen (Germany)
Odisha Best Player: Niklas Wellen (Germany)
Bronze Medal: Netherlands
Silver Medal: Belgium
Gold Medal: Germany
While the official prize money isn’t known, Hockey India (HI) had announced a lucrative prize money for the Indian Team which the side unfortunately to win.
For winning a gold medal, each player will get Rs 25 lakh while the support staff will receive Rs 5 lakh each, a silver medal would see the players take home Rs 15 lakh each and the support staff would be awarded Rs 3 lakh each and a bronze medal, meanwhile, has a prize money of Rs 10 lakh each for the players, and Rs 2 lakh each for the support staff. In addition to that, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced on that each player of the Indian hockey team will get Rs 1 crore if they win the world cup.