Paris, France – Day 13: India men fought back from a goal down to overcome a monumental challenge from Spain, with team captain Harmanpreet Singh scoring twice to help India to their second successive Olympic bronze medal on a scorching afternoon at the Yves-du-Manoir Hockey Stadium.
It was a fairytale ending to the playing career of India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who made numerous crucial blocks against the Red Sticks to win an Olympic medal in his final appearance for his country.
Sreejesh – a two-time FIH Hockey Stars Goalkeeper of the Year, winning over 330 caps – cut an emotional figure at the end of the contest as players and staff celebrated and honoured a player who represented India with such distinction over an 18-year international career.
India’s bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 was their first Olympic podium finish since 1980. However, while their wait for another was far shorter, they certainly did not have it all their own way in a match filled with tension.
Following a cagey first quarter, the game burst into life when Spain’s Marc Miralles launched a penalty stroke high into Sreejesh’s goal following a clumsy India tackle in the circle. The Red Sticks almost doubled their advantage when Borja Lacalle rattled the frame of goal before India hit back on the stroke of half time, with Harmanpreet slamming a ferocious penalty corner against the Spanish backboard.
Harmanpreet – who also netted in India’s 5-4 bronze medal win over Germany at Tokyo 2020 – put his side ahead three minutes after the break with another wonderful penalty corner drag-flick, this time choosing deception over power to find the bottom left corner. It was Harmanpreet’s tenth goal of the competition, having scored two thirds of India’s fifteen goals here at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Spain rallied hard in the dying stages of the match, putting the Indian goal under intense pressure. However, Sreejesh produced some superb saves to seal a wonderful win for India, bringing the curtain down on his career in glorious style.
“I feel great”, said India captain Harmanpreet. “We create history again, back-to-back (bronze medals). It’s a big day for India and a big day for hockey. We were here for gold, but unfortunately, that dream was shattered.”
Commenting on the match, Harmanpreet was incredibly proud about how his team performed today. “Today’s game was very good. We played as a team. Everyone delivered, especially our legend Sreejesh. It was his last game. It’s a memorable game for him, and a big achievement as a team. He gave everything to hockey in India, but now it’s his time. He is not going anywhere. He is here (pointing to his heart).”
The result means that India men have now won 13 medals in Olympic hockey, with eight golds, one silver and four bronze. For Spain, missing out on the bronze medal is a painful way to end a superb campaign here in Paris. However, having achieved their best Olympic finish since Beijing 2008, they can depart with their heads held high.
Further information and statistics about the match can be found here.
The hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 take place from Saturday 27 July to Friday 9 August. Both the men’s and women’s competitions feature 12 teams, split into two pools of six ahead of quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches. For more information about the hockey competitions at Paris 2024, visit Olympics.Hockey.
Olympic Games Paris 2024 – Hockey
8 August 2024 – Day 13
Men’s medal matches – Thursday 8 August 2024 (all times CEST)
Result
14:00: India 2-1 Spain
19:00: Germany v Netherlands
Women’s medal matches – Friday 9 August 2024 (all times CEST)
14:00 – Bronze: Argentina vs Belgium
20:00 – Gold: Netherlands vs China
Final Standings
Men
Gold:
Silver:
Bronze: India
4: Spain
5: Belgium
6: Australia
7: Great Britain
8: Argentina
9: South Africa
10: Ireland
11: France
12: New Zealand
Women
Gold:
Silver:
Bronze:
4:
5: Australia
6: Germany
7: Spain
8: Great Britain
9: USA
10: Japan
11: South Africa
12: France
Pool standings overviews
Men: click here.
Women: click here.
