Olympics, men's hockey: Crunch stats of Paris gold winners Netherlands
The Netherlands men's hockey team won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Netherlands defeated Germany in a close final, winning 3-1 in the shootout following a 1-1 stalemate. It was a bright campaign for the Dutch side, who avenged its 2012 London Olympic final defeat against Germany. Having missed out on medals in 2016 and 2020, the Dutch roared back.
Netherlands finished 2nd in Pool A
Netherlands started their Pool A campaign with a 5-3 win over South Africa. A 4-0 win over France followed next. Great Britain and Netherlands played out a 2-2 draw before Germany edged past the Dutch with a narrow 1-0 victory. In their final Pool A clash, Netherlands hammered Spain 5-3. Netherlands scored 16 goals and conceded nine.
What happened in the knockouts?
Netherlands closed the doors for Australia in the quarter-finals with an impressive 2-0 victory. Another meeting with Spain followed and the Dutch won 4-0 in the semis. Notably, Spain downed 2020 winners Belgium in the quarters. In the final, Netherlands beat Germany. Thierry Brinkman scored in the 46th minute before Germany equalized via Thies Prinz (50'). Netherlands won the shootout thereafter.
Netherlands bag a third gold medal, go joint-3rd highest
Netherlands bagged a third Olympic gold medal. Before this, the Orange won the gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 2000 Sydney Olympics, beating Spain and South Korea respectively. Netherlands have equalled the likes of Pakistan and Great Britain in terms of winning three gold medals at the Olympics. The Indian men's hockey team has won 8 gold medals. Germany have won four.
3rd nation with this record
Netherlands are the third nation in men's hockey to win 10-plus medals at the Olympics. India are top of the pile with a total of 13 medals. In addition to eight golds, they have won one silver and four bronze. Netherlands joined Australia with 10 medals. Netherlands have bagged four silver and three bronze. Australia own one gold, four silver and 5 bronze.
Netherlands have been 15-time semi-finalists (joint-highest)
Netherlands have been 15-time Olympic semi-finalists (men's hockey). Netherlands summary: Gold (1996, 2000, 2024); Silver (1928, 1952, 2004, 2012); Bronze (1936, 1948, 1988); 4th place (1972, 1976, 1992, 2008, 2016). Germany are the only other side with 15 semi-finals under their belt. Germany summary: Gold (1972, 1992, 2008, 2012); Silver (1936, 1984, 1988, 2024); Bronze (1928, 1956, 2004, 2016); 4th place (1968, 1996, 2020).
India win bronze medal in 2024 Paris
With Netherlands and Germany bagging gold and silver respectively, it was India who won the bronze. After losing to Germany in the semis, India overcame Spain 2-1 in the bronze medal match.
