Paris Olympics, hockey: Germany beat India 3-2 in semi-final
The Indian men's hockey side lost to Germany in the semi-final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was a rematch of the 2020 Tokyo Games bronze medal match. While Germany will face the Netherlands in the final, the Harmanpreet Singh-led Team India will vie for bronze. Notably, India won the bronze medal after beating Germany. Here are the key stats.
India strike early; Germany bounce back
India dominated Germany the first 10 minutes as the forwards were charged up. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh put India ahead early on after converting the penalty corner. Germany bounced back early in the second quarter, with Gonzalo Peillat scoring through a penalty corner. Germany added another as Christopher Ruehr converted the penalty stroke. They led 2-1 going into half time.
India equalize before conceding another goal
Despite being behind, India didn't drop their shoulders and continued to attack. They amassed a flurry of penalty corners but to no avail. However, India managed to find the equalizer as Sukhjeet Singh deflected Harmanpreet's grounded flick, with the ball finding the German net. Marko Miltkau scored for Germany in the 54th minute, which turned out to be the winner.
India missed defender Amit Rohidas's services
It is worth noting that India played the semi-final without star defender Amit Rohidas. He received a red card for a foul during India's quarter-final against Great Britain. As a result, India's squad for the semi-final was down to 15 players.
Team India's journey so far
India overcame New Zealand 3-2 in their opening Pool B match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. India then held Argentina 1-1 after a late goal from Harmanpreet saved them. The Men in Blue claimed a 2-0 win over Ireland before losing to Belgium. India stunned Australia 3-2 and then beat Great Britain with a 10-man squad to reach the semi-finals.
Will India win another bronze?
Despite losing, India vies for its second back-to-back medal in men's hockey at the Olympics. At the Tokyo Games, India broke its 41-year Olympic medal drought in hockey with a bronze. The Indian side defeated Germany 5-4 in an emphatic clash. Before this, India last won an Olympic medal in hockey in 1980. India has won eight Olympic gold medals in men's hockey.
Germany, Netherlands to clash in final; India to face Spain
As mentioned, Germany will take on the Netherlands in the 2024 Paris Olympics summit clash. The Dutch humbled Spain in the semi-final, winning by a 4-0 margin. India will now face Spain in the bronze medal match.
