The Netherlands claimed a fifth successive women’s European hockey title with a 2-1 win over host nation Germany in Mönchengladbach.

Oranje took a fifth-minute lead when Pien Dicke bundled the ball in from close range, before Luna Fokke glanced in a Xan de Waard cross early in the second quarter for 2-0.

But the Germans came back to reduce the deficit when Lisa Nolte scored from a penalty corner early in the second half.

The host nation stepped up a gear but their efforts were hampered by two sin-binnings that reduced the team to 10 women for most of the second half.

Defender Pien Sanders told NOS it had been a hard-fought victory for the team. “It maybe wasn’t our finest match,” she said. “Some sloppiness crept into our game and we have to get rid of that. But we should be pleased with this title.”

It is the 13th victory for the dominant Dutch in 17 editions of the women’s tournament, which was first played in 1984. They have also been runners-up twice.