Hockey at Paris 2024: India Claims Back-to-Back Olympic Bronze Medals with
Victory Over Spain

Paris, France – Day 13: India’s men’s hockey team secured
their second consecutive Olympic bronze medal by defeating Spain 2-1 in a
thrilling match at the Yves-du-Manoir Hockey Stadium. Team captain Harmanpreet
Singh scored twice, leading India to victory on a scorching afternoon.

Match Highlights:

• First Quarter: The game started cautiously, with both
  teams assessing each other.
• Second Quarter: Spain’s Marc Miralles scored the
  opening goal with a penalty stroke. Spain almost doubled their lead when
  Borja Lacalle hit the goalpost. However, just before halftime, Harmanpreet
  Singh equalized with a powerful penalty corner strike.
• Third Quarter: Harmanpreet scored again three minutes
  into the second half with a deceptive penalty corner drag-flick, bringing
  his goal tally to ten for the tournament.
• Final Quarter: Spain increased the pressure, but Indian
  goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made several crucial saves, ensuring India held onto
  their lead.

This match marked the end of PR Sreejesh’s illustrious 18-year career, during
which he earned over 330 caps and was twice named FIH Hockey Stars Goalkeeper of
the Year. His exceptional performance in this match was a fitting conclusion to
his career.

Post-Match Reactions:

• Harmanpreet Singh: “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.
  Today’s game was very good. We played as a team. Everyone delivered,
  especially our legend Sreejesh.”

This victory adds to India’s impressive Olympic hockey history, now totaling
13 medals: eight golds, one silver, and four bronze. Spain, despite missing out
on the bronze, can take pride in their best Olympic finish since 2008.

Men’s Final Standings:

1. Gold: TBD
2. Silver: TBD
3. Bronze: India
4. Spain
5. Belgium
6. Australia
7. Great Britain
8. Argentina
9. South Africa
10. Ireland
11. France
12. New Zealand

Upcoming Matches:

• Women’s Medal Matches – Friday, August 9, 2024:
  • 14:00 CEST: Bronze – Argentina vs. Belgium
  • 20:00 CEST: Gold – Netherlands vs. China

For more information about the hockey competitions at Paris 2024, visit
Olympics.Hockey.