Menini magic sparks Rotterdam’s wild celebrations

Joaquin Menini’s goal 64 seconds from the final hooter saw HC Rotterdam win the Dutch men’s championship for the second time as they beat AH&BC Amsterdam 5-4 on aggregate.

Played in front of a packed house in Rotterdam, they took a 3-2 advantage into the second leg but that was quickly wiped out when Sam Steins Bisschop’s diving touch sent Amsterdam into the lead.

Thijs van Dam restored Rotterdam’s edge before half-time from a corner rebound created by Olivier Hortensius’s sharp reactions off Ollie Payne’s pads.

But Amsterdam were right back in it when Boris Burkhardt slung home a penalty corner in Q3 and his side initially made most of the moves toward grabbing a winner in the final quarter.

Rotterdam defended well, however, and then took their big chance when it arrived, Menini arriving late in the D to spectacularly deflect the ball into the roof of the net.

It earned a 2-2 scoreline for the day and the overall victory, sparking a mass pitch invasion.

As a bonus, Rotterdam now qualify for the EHL Men’s FINAL8 with Amsterdam going to the FINAL12 next Easter.