The Netherlands won both the men’s and women’s field hockey matches at the Paris Olympics. The women’s team defeated the People’s Republic of China in a last-minute penalty shoot-out. Meanwhile, the Dutch men’s team beat Germany in yet another shoot-out.
Here’s the complete list of hockey Olympics 2024 winners:
Men’s Podium
| Gold | Netherlands |
| Silver | Germany |
| Bronze | India |
Women’s Podium
| Gold | Netherlands |
| Silver | China |
| Bronze | Argentina |
Men’s Gold Medal Match: Highlights
The final game was tightly contested with no goals scored in the first three quarters. Both teams played defensively. However, The Netherlands’ Thierry Brinkman finally managed to score a tap-in after Germany’s Koen Bijen flicked the ball across the goal, giving Brinkman a chance to score. Three minutes later, Thies Prinz equalized the goals by scoring on a penalty corner
The Netherlands had another opportunity to win, with just 56 seconds left. However, Jip Janssen fired wide left of the goal and missed out.
The score tied 1-1 in regulation, and the game went to a shootout. Each team was given five 8-second chances to score. Players Brinkman and Thijs van Dam scored 2 shootouts for the Dutch. Meanwhile, their goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak managed to stop 3 out of 4 attempts (including a two-time attempt because of a retake). Finally, Duco Telgenkamp scooped the ball beyond the German goalkeeper to land a 3-1 victory for the Dutch.
This is the Netherlands’ first victory in 24 years. They last won a gold medal in the men’s competition in the 2000 Games. They finished sixth at the Tokyo Games.
Germany, the reigning world champion, had topped Group B with four wins in five matches. Their only loss came at the hands of Spain by 0-2. They triumphed over Argentina in the quarter-final match and defeated India 3-2 in a closely contested semifinal match.
Germany also had history on its side, having won the gold medal at the last four Olympic Games. This also included a final match against the Dutch in the London 2012 Games.
However, the Dutch triumphed with their hard work.
Men’s Bronze Medal Match: Highlights
According to the International Hockey Federation, the Indian men’s team currently ranks fifth in the world, while Spain is at the eighth position. India stood second in Pool B matches, while Spain finished fourth in Pool A. Spain lost against the Netherlands (0-4) in the semis, while India lost against Germany (2-3) and played off for the bronze medal on August 8.
Spain took an early lead in the bronze medal match as captain Marc Miralles scored at 18 minutes. India was down one goal, however, India’s skipper Harmanpreet Singh struck back with two goals at 30 and 33 minutes.
Indian team made some meaningful forays in the Spanish attacking third but failed to score in the first quarter. Spain, meanwhile, could only manage a couple of circle penetrations throughout the opening quarter. Spain took the lead with a penalty stroke. They were awarded another penalty corner, which they failed to convert. Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made two fantastic saves in the final two minutes of the game, securing a win for his country.
Historically, India has been the most successful hockey team in the Olympics – they have 8 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals. However, there was a 41-year-long drought for medals. It was finally broken at the Tokyo 2020 Games when India won a bronze medal. After the victory at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, India’s hockey medal tally is now 13.
Spain last won a silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Games.
Women’s Gold Medal Match: Highlights
The Netherlands doubled their hockey gold medals as the women’s team defeated the People’s Republic of China in a penalty shoot-out.
The Dutch team finished first in the Pool A matches, winning all five of their matches. China finished fourth as it won only 2 out of 5 matches in Pool A. China had also lost to the Netherlands 0-3 in the group stage.
China looked to flip the script with an early goal by Chen Yi. She put China ahead 1-0 at just six minutes. The Dutch kept up the pressure but couldn’t make it through the tight Chinese defense. Frederique Matla and Yibbi Jansen had penalty corners. But both missed putting the ball in the net. Finally, nine minutes from time, penalty corner shooter Yibbi Jansen scored a goal to level the scores. This sent the game into shoot-outs to decide the winners.
The Netherlands soundly defeated China 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out. Dutch goalie Anne Veenendaal saved the first two Chinese shoot-outs. China managed to score on the third attempt. However, Veenendaal kept out the fourth attempt made by Ma Ning, securing victory for the Netherlands.
This is the fifth Olympic medal for the Dutch women’s hockey team and the second consecutive gold. They won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. They now have a total of four golds and one silver (2016 Olympics). The Chinese women’s team, won their second silver medal, following their success at home in the 2008 Beijing Games.
Women’s Bronze Medal Match: Highlights
This was yet another match that was decided on the penalty shoot-outs.
The first quarter remained scoreless as both sides played defensively. Belgium struck a penalty corner in the second quarter. Emma Puvrez grabbed a deflected drag flick and slid it towards the net, giving Belgium a 1-0 lead. However, the lead didn’t last long as Argentina also scored a penalty corner with just six minutes left in the second quarter.
Argentina’s Las Leonas scored the second goal soon after when she found a loose ball. Belgium rebounded quickly by netting another loose ball. This leveled the score at 2-2.
The Belgian team made several errant passes and even argued with the referee, which resulted in a yellow card for midfielder Alix Gerniers in the 25th minute. The score remained unchanged in the last two quarters. Argentina got a penalty corner in the final 11 seconds. However, Belgian keeper D’Hooge stopped two quick shots in a row and the match headed to a shootout. Both teams had faced shootouts in their knockout matches. Argentina won their shootout against Germany in the quarterfinal. Meanwhile, Belgium lost the semifinal shootout against the Chinese team.
Las Leonas, Zoe Diaz de Armas, and Sofia Cairo scored for Argentina, securing a 3-1 win in the shootouts.
Argentina currently ranks second in the world, as per the International Hockey Federation. Belgium ranks third. This is Argentina’s sixth medal in seven Olympic Games and the third bronze medal. They had won silver in the Tokyo 2020 Games. Belgium has yet to win a medal in women’s hockey at the Olympics.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org