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India wins back-to-back Olympic hockey bronze medals
The last time India won back-to-back hockey medals at Olympics was in 1968 and 1972.
Indian hockey team salutes goalkeeper PR Sreejesh who played his last match in Paris. / X/@OlympicKhel
India claimed a convincing 2-1 win over Spain in a pulsating game of hockey to defend their Tokyo 2020 bronze medal. The Men in blue beat their European opponents on Aug.8 in Paris and prevented a sweep by European teams in Olympic hockey while reasserting Asian presence among the top three.
India was known for its longest trail of gold medal triumphs from 1928 to 1956. And now, it has its bronze medal trial with two triumphs in successive editions of the Olympic games for the first time in 52 years. The last time India won back-to-back hockey medals at Olympics was in 1968 and 1972.
Skipper Hamanpreet Singh again led the team from the front. He not only proved a big inspiration for all members of the team but also emerged as one of the top scorers of the tournament with an individual tally of 10 goals – six penalty corners and four penalty strokes.
The #bronze medal goes to India!
— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) August 8, 2024
A well-deserved third place in men's hockey! @weareteamindia | @FIH_Hockey | #Hockey | #Paris2024 | #Samsung | #TogetherforTomorrow pic.twitter.com/oHel3rQxfm
It was Spain that drew the first blood. In the 18th minute when Gerard Clares was obstructed at the top of the penalty circle, a penalty stroke was awarded. It was greeted with a pin-drop silence as the stands were overflowing with fans of Indian hockey. India decided to take it in its stride. Captain of Spain Marc Miralles made no mistake with the stroke to put his team ahead.
The goal spurned the Indian team as it put everything in its game to restore parity as early as possible. With more ammunition in its firing line, it saw both Lalit and Hardik making valiant attempts on their opponent’s goal. In between Spain earned a penalty corner which Indian defence cleared.
Spain followed with another good move between Borja Ladalle and Gerard Clares in the 25th minute. As usual veteran of many such battles, goalkeeper Sreejesh stood his ground well and prevented Spain from consolidating its lead. Indian goal had another providential escape in the 28th minute when the attempted shot at the goal hit the goal post and bounced back into play. A penalty corner followed.
Just seconds before the game broke for the interval, India earned a penalty corner. Skipper Harmanpreet had set for himself an onerous task of restoring parity for his team. He made no mistake and put the teams on par.
L.E.G.E.N.D
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) August 8, 2024
What a special athlete, and what a special career. Congratulations to a fantastic career, @16Sreejesh. An absolute inspiration for everyone. #JeetKiAur | #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/UFAWNJb4kU
Harmanpreet continued from where he left in the first half. Three minutes into the second half, after a video referral, India got a penalty corner. This time again, the Indian skipper was ruthless with his flick to give his team a crucial 2-1 lead.
India survived some powerful attacks, including a series of penalty corners in the last three minutes. The defence stood its ground well and did not allow the Spaniards any clear look at its goal.
There was a commotion when India defended two penalty corners in the dying minutes. Sreejesh went down on the field and all players in an emotive gesture sprawled over to him to give him a warm farewell from competitive hockey.
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