NEW DELHI, Dec 15: Niklas Wellen slammed a brilliant hat-trick to guide defending champions Germany to their record sixth world title, beating unheralded France 5-2 in the summit clash of the FIH Junior World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium here on Sunday.

It was a befitting end to the tournament as both Germany and France dished out splendid hockey much to the delight of the sparse crowd present on a chilly night.

Germany rode on five goals which came from the sticks of Wellen (2nd, 44th, 46th minutes), Jonas Gomoll (60th) and Christopher Ruhr (68th) to pocket their sixth world title and second in a row.

For France, Gaspard Baumgarten (16th, 40th) scored both the goals.

Meanwhile, last edition’s silver medalists Netherlands spanked Malaysia 7-2 to bag the bronze medal.

Australia secured the fifth position by beating Belgium 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out after both the teams were locked at 2-2 at the end of regulation time.

While Belgium took the sixth spot, New Zealand finished seventh following its 4-2 win over Korea in the seventh-eighth play-off match.

On Saturday, Pakistan finished ninth after beating India 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out after both the teams were locked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

Argentina finished 11th, followed by South Africa, Spain, England, Egypt and Canada.

While Argentina beat South Africa 4-1 in the 11th-12th place play-off, Spain eked out a hard-fought 3-2 win over England in the 13th-14th place classification game. Egypt defeated Canada 3-0 to avoid the wooden spoon.—Agencies