Team India outclassed Spain 2-1 in the bronze medal match of men’s hockey at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday. India captain Harmanpreet Singh netted the equaliser seconds before the half-time hooter. Spain skipper Marc Miralles opened the scoring with 11 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter. Leading India from the front, Harmanpreet doubled his tally with a sensational brace in the third quarter. In his final international outing, veteran PR Sreejesh made a stunning save in the final quarter to seal India’s 2-1 win over Spain.
After a narrow 3-2 loss to Germany in the semifinals, Team India’s focus had shifted to securing a second consecutive bronze medal following their podium finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, rebounded quickly from the disappointment of missing out on the gold medal match by winning the bronze medal at the Paris Games.
India’s record against Spain
Historically, India had a strong track record against Spain in Olympic hockey, winning seven out of their ten encounters. In recent matches, Team India has won four of the last five games against Spain, giving them confidence heading into the crucial match. The return of key player Amit Rohidas, after serving a suspension, also bolstered the squad, especially in defence. His return not only bolstered the Indian defence but also gave more chances for penalty corners. He was India’s second-best option from set pieces after captain Harmanpreet.
Unpredictable challenge for India
Spain, however, presented an unpredictable challenge. The Spanish team had an inconsistent run at the Paris Olympics, with impressive victories against top teams like Germany and Belgium and heavy losses, including a 4-0 defeat to Great Britain. Team India managed the pressure of being the favourites, especially after their emotional semifinal loss.