February 25th exactly one year ago. 5.075 spectators at the Gangneung Hockey Center experience a thrilling finale of the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. Right in the middle: the German team, which sensationally fought its way to the final. Who would have thought it possible that this team would take home a medal from South Korea? Never before has a German national ice hockey team been in an Olympic final.
The team led by then national coach Marco Sturm held strong against the favored team of Olympic athletes from Russia - even leading 3-2 until shortly before the end after goals from Felix Schütz, Dominik Kahun and Jonas Müller. However, 56 seconds before the end, Nikita Gusev saved the Russian team with his goal in overtime. That's where the drama begins: Kirill Olegowitsch Kaprisow shoots the Olympic athletes from Russia to Olympic victory after 69:40 minutes. This is followed by a brief moment of shock from our silver heroes. But they quickly realize what they have achieved in South Korea in the past few weeks. Disappointment about losing the gold medal? Not at all! The joy of winning the silver medal – the greatest success in German ice hockey history – predominates.
“I will never forget February 25, 2018,” recalls DEBPresident Franz Reindl. "A German national ice hockey team in the Olympic final against Russia. What a sensational performance by our team. Just thinking about this sensational day gives me goosebumps!"
The miracle of our silver heroes in the video:
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The German team's path to the Olympic final in the photo gallery (Photos: HHOF):
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 15: Finland's Miika Koivisto #50 battles for the puck with the Germany player during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 15: Germany's Christian Ehrhoff #10 skates with the puck during preliminary round action against Finland at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 15: Finland's Eeli Tolvanen #20 (not shown) scores a second period goal against Germany's Danny Aus den Birken #33 diuring preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 15: Germany's Danny Aus den Birken #33 makes the save while Marcel Goc #57 keeps close watch on Finland's Julius Junttila #13 during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 15: Germany's Frank Hordler #48 plays the puck while Danny Aus den Birken #33 looks on during preliminary round action against Finland at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 15: Germany's Timo Pielmeier #51 looks on from the bench during preliminary round action against Finland at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 16: Sweden's Jhonas Enroth #1 makes a glove save with Germany's David Wolf #89 in front during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 16: Germany's Timo Pielmeier #51 and David Wolf #89 jump on a loose puck in front of the net during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 16: Germany's Bjorn Krupp #40 gets a pass of against Team Sweden during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 16: Germany's Timo Pielmeier #51 tracks the puck off a shot from Sweden's Simon Bertilsson #15 during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 16: Germany's Matthias Plachta #22 collides with Sweden's Johan Fransson #8 along the boards during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 16: Sweden's Jhonas Enroth #1 makes a save off a shot from Germany's Yannic Seidenberg #36 during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 18: Germany's Dominik Kahum #72 battles for position with Norway's Henrik Odegaard #42 while Lars Haugen #30 reaches out his glove in attempt to make the save during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 18: Germany's Patrick Hager #50 battles for the puck with Norway's Steffen Thoresen #21, Mathis Olimb #46 and Ken Andre Olimb #40 during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 18: Germany's Daryl Boyle #7 keeps close watch on Norway's Alexander Reichenberg #61 while Danny Aus den Birken #33 looks on from his crease during preliminary round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 20: Germany's Matthias Plachta #22 and Felix Schutz #55 celebrate after a goal by Leonhard Pfoderl #83 with Switzerland's Raphael Diaz #16, Philippe Furrer #54 and Jonas Hiller #1 looking on during qualification playoff round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 20: Germany's David Wolf #89 stickhandles the puck away from Switzerland's Philippe Furrer #54 and Simon Bodenmann #23 during qualification playoff round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 20: Germany's Felix Schutz #55 and Matthias Plachta #22 celebrate after a first period goal by Leonhard Pfoderl #83 (not shown) on Switzerland's Jonas Hiller #1 during qualification playoff round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 20: Germany's Yannic Seidenberg #36 celebrates after scoring an overtime goal on Switzerland's Jonas Hiller #1 with Simon Moser #82 looking on during qualification playoff round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 21: Germany's Marcel Noebels #92 celebrates after scoring a first period goal on Sweden's Viktor Fasth #30 with Par Lindholm #17 and Oscar Moller #45 looking on during quarterfinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 21: Germany's Marcel Noebels #92 gets the puck past Sweden's Viktor Fasth #30 to score a first period goal with Staffan Kronwall #4, Par Lindholm #17 and Germany's Gerrit Fauser #43 battling in front during quarterfinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 21: Germany's Marcel Noebels #92 celebrates after scoring a first period goal on Team Sweden during quarterfinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 21: Germany's Christian Ehrhoff #10 celebrates with Matthias Plachta #22, Patrick Hager #50 and Patrick Reimer #37 after scoring a first period goal on Team Sweden during quarterfinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 21: Germany's Yannic Seidenberg #36 gets a shot off with pressure from Sweden's Viktor Stalberg #25 during quarterfinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 21: Germany's Christian Ehrhoff #10 celebrates after a 4-3 overtime win over Team Sweden during quarterfinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 23: Germany's Brooks Macek #12 celebrates with Yannic Seidenberg #36 after scoring a first period goal on Team Canada during semifinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 23: Germany's Yannic Seidenberg #36 stickhandles the puck away from Canada's Derek Roy #9 during semifinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 23: Germany's Matthias Plachta #22 scores a second period goal against Canada's Kevin Poulin #31 while Felix Schutz #55 looks on during semifinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 23: Team Germany celebrates following a 4-3 win over Team Canada during semifinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 23: Germany's Danny Aus Den Birken #33 waves to the crowd after defeating Team Canada 4-3 during semifinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 23: Germany's David Wolf #89, Marcus Kink #17 and Yannic Seidenberg #36 celebrating while posing for photographers following a 4-3 semifinal round win against Canada at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 23: Germany's Danny Aus Den Birken #33 and Timo Pielmeier #51 celebrate after a 4-3 win over Team Canada during semifinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 23: Germany's Bjorn Krupp #40 and Gerrit Fauser #43 celebrate following a 4-3 win over Team Canada during semifinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 23: Germany's Marcel Noebels #92 skates with the puck while Canada's Eric O'Dell #22 chases him down during semifinal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 25: Germany's David Wolf #89 battles for the puck with Nikita Nestorov #89 and Sergei Kalinin #21 of the Olympic Athletes from Russia during gold medal game action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 25: Vasili Koshechkin #83 of the Olympic Athletes from Russia makes the save while Vladislav Gavrikov #4 battles with Germany's David Wolf #89 during gold medal game action the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 25: Olympic Athletes from Russia's Vasili Koshechkin #83 makes a save with Andrei Zubarev #28 and Germany's Patrick Hager #50 battling in front during gold medal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 25: Germany's Felix Schutz #55 celebrates with Brooks Macek #12, Moritz Muller #91 and Patrick Hager #50 after scoring a second period goal on Team Olympic Athletes from Russia during gold medal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 25: Germany's Frank Hordler #48 clears the puck while Nikita Gusev #97 of the Olympic Athletes from Russia defends during gold medal game action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 25: Germany's Jonas Muller #41 celebrates with Yasin Ehliz #42 after scoring a third period goal against the Olympic Athletes from Russia during gold medal game action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 25: Germany's Danny Aus Den Birken #33 celebrates after a third period goal by teammate Dominik Kahun #72 (not shown) during gold medal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 25: Germany's Dominik Kahun #72 and Frank Mauer #28 look on after an overtime loss to Team Olympic Athletes from Russia during gold medal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 25: Germany's Brooks Macek #12 and Yegor Yakolev #44 of the Olympic Athletes of Russia shake hands following a 4-3 gold medal game overtime win by the Olympic Athletes from Russia at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 25: Germany's Bjorn Krupp #40, Jonas Muller #41 and Yasin Ehliz #42 celebrate with their silver medals during gold medal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 25: Olympic Athletes from Russia players and staff celebrating after a 4-3 gold medal game overtime win against Germany at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 25: Germany players and staff gather for a group photo following a 4-3 gold medal game overtime loss against the Olympic Athletes from Russia at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
- GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 25: Germany's Dominik Kahun #72 celebrates with Jonas Muller #41, Frank Hordler #48 and Yasin Ehliz #42 after scoring a third period goal on Team Olympic Athletes from Russia during gold medal round action at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

