Hockeyroos set sights on Season Finale after heavy defeat in Berlin
Published Sun 22 Jun 2025
The Hockeyroos are determined to end their FIH Pro League season on a high tomorrow night, after suffering a tough 0-4 defeat to Germany in their penultimate match in Berlin.
Coming off a confident 3-0 victory over England, the Hockeyroos were eager to carry that momentum heading into their final European fixtures. But it was Germany, desperate for points at the bottom of the ladder, who rose to the occasion with a commanding display from start to finish.
"We gave away way too many chances, they counterattacked fast and our defence across the field just wasn't up to scratch," captain Kaitlin Nobbs told 7plus.
"We came away from what we do best and our way of play, and we'll be looking to respond and get back to our basics and our way of play tomorrow. We can play a lot better than this."
The occasion fell on FIH Diversity and Inclusion Day, a celebration embraced by both national squads as the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras proudly wore rainbow socks in support of inclusion and visibility in sport.
"To have FIH Diversity and Inclusion Day fall in Pride Month is a statement to all of the hockey fans around the world that hockey is a game for everyone, no matter who you are, so I'm very proud that we were able to wear our rainbow socks out there today," 2024 LGBTQ+ Role Model of the Year Greta Hayes said post-match.
"I'm a big believer in 'You can't be what you can't see,' and it's not just about coming out one day and wearing rainbow socks, it's about educating, it's about increasing visibility, spreading the love and it's something that we want to live by day in day out all throughout the year."
As the action got underway, the hosts looked sharp from the outset, carving out multiple early chances while forcing Australian goalkeeper Zoe Newman into action on several occasions and within six minutes they capitalised to take a 1-0 lead.
Despite a brief surge late in the second quarter, the Hockeyroos struggled to gain any foothold. Germany controlled the tempo, dominated possession, and applied relentless pressure with effective aerial passes and rapid counterattacks.
Head Coach Katrina Powell called for more physicality and assertiveness at halftime, but any hopes of an Australian resurgence were quickly dashed.
Germany found the net twice within the opening five minutes of the third quarter, the second goal a slick deflection and the third a clinical finish after another incisive circle entry.
WA goalkeeper Aleisha Power remained busy, producing several crucial saves to prevent the margin from blowing out even further, and while Australia had chances at the penalty corner, they went unrewarded, with one narrowly missing by centimetres.
Germany sealed the result early in the final quarter with a thunderous backhand strike from the top of the circle, taking the score to 4-0.
The Hockeyroos' final FIH Pro League game of the season in Berlin gets underway in less than 24 hours at 8.00pm AWST / 10.00pm AEST, live and free on 7plus.
The Hockeyroos remain in fifth place on the FIH Pro League table, three points behind fourth-placed Spain.
Full FIH Pro League fixtures & results
Hockeyroos v Germany
Hockeyroos: 0
Germany: 4 (Sara Strauss 6" (FG), Lynn Krings 32" (FG), Sophia Schwabe 35" (FG), Jette Fleschutz 48" (FG))
Ernst Reuter Sportfeld, Germany
Hockeyroos: 1. Claire Colwill (c), 4. Amy Lawton, 5. Grace Young, 7. Aleisha Power (gk), 9. Maddi Smith, 11. Alice Arnott, 12. Greta Hayes, 13. Hattie Shand, 15. Kaitlin Nobbs (c), 16. Courtney Schonell, 17. Lucy Sharman, 18. Alana Kavanagh, 20. Karri Somerville, 21. Jade Smith, 22. Tatum Stewart, 24. Mariah Williams, 25. Zoe Newman (gk), 26. Lexie Pickering
Hockeyroos FIH Pro League UK/Europe Tour Schedule
Berlin, Germany
Sunday, 22 June – 10.00pm AEST / 8.00pm AWST – Germany v Hockeyroos
