Paris, France – Day 2: With the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium bathed in sunshine, the women’s team of Belgium, Germany, Australia and Spain all secured victories in their first matches at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. In the men’s competition, Germany suffered defeat at the hands of Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands emerged triumphant, and South Africa and Great Britain played out a pulsating draw.
More information on today’s matches can be found below.
Women’s Pool A
Belgium started their Olympic campaign with a hard fought 2-1 victory over China thanks to a superb, roofed finish from Charlotte Engelbert with five minutes remaining. “There were good things and bad things”, said Belgium’s Emma Puvrez on the occasion of her 200th international appearance. “China is a very good team to play against, they’re very technical as well as physical so it was a difficult start for us.”
Germany also began their quest for gold positively as goals from Charlotte Stapenhorst and Nike Lorenz secured a 2-0 win over Japan. “We created loads of chances but they defended really well”, said Stapenhorst. “I think we’re just glad that we got this tournament started.”
Germany and Belgium moved level on points with Day 1 winners the Netherlands, with the Oranje’s superior goal difference keeping them top of the standings.
Women’s Pool B
Australia and Spain kept pace with Day 1 winners Argentina by snatching narrow wins against South Africa and Great Britain respectively.
The Hockeyroos fought back from a goal down to beat the African continental champions, with Stephanie Kershaw and Tatum Stewart on target to give the three-time Olympic gold medallists a 2-1 win. “It was very tough”, said Australia’s Kaitlyn Nobbs. “They came out with a lot of energy and we tried to match it. But I think we built really well into the game and eventually got the results.”
Rio 2016 gold and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Great Britain suffered defeat in their competition opener, with Barcelona 1992 gold medallists Spain earning a 2-1 triumph courtesy of early goals from Laura Barrios and Lola Reira.”[Great Britain] compete very well in these kinds of tournaments”, said Spain’s Reira. “This match was important because it was the first one, but also because we faced them. They have a lot of experience and it gives them strength.”
Men’s Pool A
Spain recorded the most eye-catching result of the day with a superb 2-0 victory over Germany, with goals from Jose Maria Basterra and Pepe Cunill kickstarting the Red Sticks’ Olympic challenge. The result left Spain sitting fourth in the table, level on points with Germany who are third due to their superior goal difference.
The contest was also noteworthy for being the first Olympic hockey match to feature mixed gender on-field umpiring teams, with Irene Presenqui (ARG) and Sean Rapaport (RSA) calling the contest. More details about this story can be found here.
Great Britain ended the day second in Pool A after a late penalty corner deflection from Rupert Shipperley snatched a 2-2 draw against South Africa. Despite being disappointed on missing out on all three points, South Africa’s Dayaan Cassiem felt proud of his team’s performance. “Our energy was much better today, I think we really came out firing”, said Cassiem. “I’m really proud of the boys.
Men’s Pool B
In the day’s only Pool B match, reigning Olympic champions Belgium overcame a monumental challenge from New Zealand’s Black Sticks to emerge 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Alexander Hendrickx and Florent van Aubel. The result puts Belgium clear at the top of the pool, although they have played a game more than nearest rivals India and Australia, who are both in action on Monday (29 July).
Notable figures in attendance on Day 2 included Spanish royals Leonor, Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofia as well as Bollywood actor Amol Palekar, Spanish National Olympic Committee President Alejandro Blanco Bravo and Chris Jenkins, the President of the Commonwealth Games.
The Paris 2024 Olympic hockey action continues at Yves-du-Manoir on Monday 29 July with another eight matches, with six women’s and two men’s matches taking place.
Both men’s matches are from Pool B and will be played on Pitch 1, with Ireland going head-to-head with Australia on Pitch 1 at 10:00 (CEST), with India facing Argentina at 12:45.
All 12 of the women’s teams will be in action on Day 3. In Pool A, Japan face China (Pitch 1, 10:30) and European giants Germany and the Netherlands meet (Pitch 1, 19:45) before hosts France take on Belgium (Pitch 2, 20:15). In Pool A, Spain play USA (Pitch 2, 13:15), Great Britain meet Australia (Pitch 1, 17:00) and South Africa do battle with Argentina (Pitch 1, 19:45).
28 July 2024 – Day 2
Results
Women’s Pool A
Germany 2-0 Japan
Women’s Pool B
Australia 2-1 South Africa
Great Britain 1-2 Spain
Men’s Pool A
Germany 0-2 Spain
Netherlands 4-0 France
South Africa 2-2 Great Britain
Men’s Pool B
