Twice as Nice: India’s Hockey Team Bags Back-to-Back Olympic Bronze

In an exciting game at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, the Indian men’s hockey team won bronze in the Paris 2024 Olympics by beating Spain 2-1. This is India’s thirteenth Olympic medal in hockey, which makes them hold onto their title as the most successful team ever to play Olympic hockey games.

A Fitting Farewell to PR Sreejesh

The match also marked an appropriate farewell to veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh in his last international showing. It showed India making a comeback to win their second Olympic bronze medal continuously. This success is significant as it marks the first time since the 1972 Munich Olympics that India has secured consecutive medals in hockey.

Spain Takes an Early Lead

In the second quarter, Spain took the lead when their captain, Marc Miralles, executed a penalty stroke in the 18th minute, sending the ball into the uppermost corner of the goal. The Spanish squad, determined to win their first Olympic hockey medal since 2008, appeared primed to widen their advantage with two additional penalty corners. Yet India’s Amit Rohidas, freshly back from suspension, defended against Spain’s attempts with remarkable speed and agility.

Harmanpreet’s Heroic Comeback

In the waning moments of the opening period, India’s leader, Harmanpreet Singh, equalised the tally with a skilful execution of a penalty corner. This pivotal strike, his ninth conquest of the competition, cemented his status as the top scorer in Paris 2024.

India Takes the Lead

Harmanpreet capitalised on the momentum and quickly delivered another powerful penalty corner conversion just three minutes into the second half, granting India the lead. The Indian captain’s double goal proved to be the pivotal factor in this hard-fought clash for the bronze medal.

Spain’s Disallowed Goal

During the third quarter, the Spanish team tenaciously strived to equalise the score by skilfully striking the ball into the opposing Indian team’s net. Yet their elation was swiftly curtailed as a thorough evaluation uncovered that one of their own had mistakenly interacted with the ball during the match, leading to their goal being nullified.

Defensive Masterclass in the Final Quarter

In the fourth quarter, palpable tension overshadowed the game as Spain relentlessly strove for an equalising goal while India’s defence, spearheaded by the unswerving Sreejesh, stood resolute. The veteran goalkeeper, in his farewell match, executed two decisive denials in the last moments to safeguard India’s advantage and clinch the coveted bronze medal.

The Significance of Back-to-Back Bronze Medals

Indian hockey’s triumph holds great significance, as it follows their bronze medal victory at Tokyo 2020, breaking a 41-year drought of Olympic success. The consecutively achieved podium finishes highlight the resurgence of Indian hockey on a global platform.

Harmanpreet Singh, feeling very happy, said, “We create history again, back-to-back (bronze medals). It’s a big day for India and a big day for hockey. Today’s game was very good.” We were a united group, playing as a team. All members did their part, but Sreejesh, our legend, was in goal for the last game. It’s a memorable game for him and a big achievement as a team.”
PM Narendra Modi lauded this historic victory, which will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Indian hockey players.

Throughout the tournament, the Indian team exhibited a praiseworthy performance, highlighted by Harmanpreet Singh’s remarkable ability to score goals. His tally of nine goals not only propelled India to bronze glory but also secured for him the prestigious title of top scorer at the Paris 2024 hockey competition.

India’s Olympic hockey heritage is further enriched by the addition of this bronze medal, bringing their total tally to eight gold, one silver, and four bronze. This solidifies India’s position as a dominant force in international hockey, which is currently ranked fifth globally.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Indian Hockey Players

The retirement of PR Sreejesh marks the culmination of an era, as his last-minute heroics in the bronze medal game will be remembered as a fitting finale to his distinguished career.
Indian hockey fans can anticipate a promising future with the achievement in Paris, as they hope that this consecutive Olympic success will motivate the upcoming generation of athletes to surpass unprecedented heights in the revered sport that has bestowed immense honour upon our nation.