By Liam Morgan

The Netherlands reigned supreme at the Indoor Hockey World Cup by claiming both the men's and women's titles in Leipzig ©FIHThe Netherlands sealed double success at the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Indoor World Cup as they won both the men's and women's titles in Leipzig.

The Dutch women claimed a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the host nation after a pulsating contest ended 1-1 to clinch their second indoor world title.

Clearly buoyed by their female counterparts' performance, the men then went on to beat Austria 3-2 in another thrilling match to ensure Leipzig went double Dutch.

In a titanic clash between the top two indoor nations in the world, Germany raced into an early lead over The Netherlands thanks to Katharina Otte's penalty stroke, before they then missed two great chances of their own.

It looked as though the packed out home crowd inside the arena would see their nation lift the trophy but Claire Verhage was in the right place at the right time to slam home an equaliser from a penalty corner just two minutes from time.

Verhage's leveller in the dying embers ensured the destination of the gold medal would be decided on penalties, and the goalkeepers had the better of the shootout as Laurien Leurink netted the only successful effort to clinch victory for The Netherlands.

"We practiced shoot-outs and watched how the men did it against Germany yesterday," Dutch goalkeeper Adina Alberts said.

"We tried to copy it and it worked for us."

Claire Verhage (left) struck a late equaliser before her Dutch side beat host nation Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout in Leipzig ©Getty ImagesClaire Verhage (left) struck a late equaliser before her Dutch side beat host nation Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout in Leipzig ©Getty Images



In the men's final, the Dutch seized control of the match as they found the net twice in the first ten minutes through penalty corner efforts from Bjorn Kellerman and Robert Tigges.

The Austrian's fought back however and Dominic Uher halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time, but The Netherlands remained composed and Robbert van de Peppel restored their two-goal advantage just after the restart.

Not to be deterred, Austria set up a nerve-wracking finale as Sebastian Eitenberger gave his side hope as he scored in the late stages, but the Dutch, who had beaten hosts Germany in the semi-final, held on to clinch their maiden Indoor World Cup crown.

"Our goalie was amazing throughout the tournament," captain Tigges said.

"I still cannot believe that we have won it, I feel like I am living a dream.

"To win a tournament like this you need to have all of the luck on your side, and that is what we had."

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