New Delhi: Germany lifted the coveted title for a record sixth time, battling past a very resurgent France in an entertaining final of the Hero Hockey Junior World Cup here on Sunday night.
Down 1-2 at one stage, the Germans showed their mettle taking the crown by a 5-2 margin.
France were never considered a real threat but on the day they showed it wasn't easy to write them off as they matched every German move with élan, despite the scoreline.
Niklas Wellen was the hero, pumping in three goals, while Jonas Gomoll and Christopher Ruhr had one strike each to their names.
Germany meant business and were up within the two minutes of the start. Wellen slotted the ball past France goalkeeper, but much like the typical German style, the team committed the mistake of going into defensive mode immediately.
The French resilience paid off in the 16th minute.
Gaspard Baumagrten collected a cross from the left, and hit a powefful shot from the top of the circle past goalkeeper Victor Aly .
The equaliser brought the game to life.
France had their moment of glory, when Baumgarten put them ahead in the 40th minute.
The Germans regrouped immediately and banked on experienced and big match temperament, tearing open the French defence.
Wellen came up two quick strikes (44th, 46th minutes). Gomoll's strike in the 60th minute was enough for them to begin the celebrations, while Ruhr's goal in the 68th minute was the icing on the cake.
Ruhr was named the player of the tournament, while France's Edgar Reynaud was named the goalkeeper of the event.
Earlier, Holland picked the bronze, putting in seven goals past Malaysia. The Dutch won 7-2. Belgium were left dejected losing the 5th-6th place playoff to Australia on penalties.
Final standings: 1. Germany, 2. France, 3. Holland, 4. Malaysia, 5. Australia, 6. Belgium, 7. New Zealand, 8. Korea, 9. Pakistan, 10. India, 11. Argentina, 12. South Africa, 13. Spain, 14. England, 15. Egypt, 16. Canada.
