Indian men's hockey team clinch 2nd successive Olympic bronze at Paris 2024 with 2-1 win over Spain; PR Sreejesh bids farewell
The Indian men's hockey team defeated Spain 2-1 to win the Paris Olympics 2024 bronze medal at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Thursday, (August 8). This was their second consecutive bronze after they had finished on the podium after a 41-year gap at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Two penalty corner goals from Harmanpreet Singh enabled the Indians to come from behind to get the better of a Spanish side that took the lead off a penalty stroke early in the second quarter.
After a cagey start with both sides holding their structure admirably, Marc Miralles opened the scoring for Spain when the Red Sticks earned a penalty stroke in the 18th minute. The Spaniards nearly doubled the lead soon after with Gerard Clapes finding an unmarked Borja Lacalle in front of the Indian goal, but he failed to latch on.
Harmanpreet Singh levelled things up for the Indians at the stroke of halftime with a powerful drag flick that gave goalkeeper Luis Calzado no chance. The Indian captain then scored another short corner goal immediately after the long breather to take his overall tally at Paris 2024 to 10 goals.
The Spaniards manufactured a wave of attacks but failed to penetrate the Indian deep defence for much of the second half.
Despite earning nine penalty corners, including a couple at the death, Max Caldas' side were unable to convert the set pieces with Amit Rohidas running down a few with aplomb.
PR Sreejesh, who played the last match of his career, continued to excel in front of goal as he did throughout the tournament.
The Spaniards did manage to get the ball into the back of the Indian net in the 39th minute but the goal was disallowed after the ball was deemed to have risen dangerously off the attacking player.
India win 13th Olympic medal in men's hockey at Paris 2024
The Indian men's hockey have finished on an Olympic podium for the 13th time following their win over Spain in the bronze medal game of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The eight-time champions have one silver medal which they won in 1964 and four bronze medals (1968, 1972, 2021 and 2024). Germany, the second-most successful team in terms of total medals won in men's hockey have registered 10 podium finishes thus far and will add another in the gold-medal game.
Pakistan have a total of eight medals in the men's hockey competition at the Olympic Games. The Indian men's hockey team have thus managed to ensure that veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. who played a key role in getting the side to the semifinals, finished his career on a high with an Olympic medal.