Men’s Event
Belgium were the only undefeated team in the group topping Group B. India would finish second ahead of Australia and Argentina. The other group would see three teams with only one loss. Germany led Netherlands with Great Britain third and Spain the final qualifier. In the quarter finals an early red card for India would put Britain into the drivers seat. They still couldn’t prevent India from going 1-0 up and despite clawing back to 1-1, would lose in a shootout. Spain would beat Belgium 3-2 despite conceding five penalty corners. Netherlands beat Australia 2-0 and Argentina twice fought back to level against Germany, but Germany would get the 3-2 win. Netherlands would dominate Spain to reach the final. The other semi final was something of a classic, Germany winning 3-2 despite India creating a greater number of chances. A great defensive performance would seal India the bronze medal with a 2-1 win. The final was goalless for three quarters before Netherlands went ahead, only for Germany to equalise on a penalty corner. It would go to a shootout and after each team missed two attempts, Netherlands would go on to win, prompting a post-match scuffle.
🥇Netherlands 🇳🇱
🥈Germany 🇩🇪
🥉India 🇮🇳
In my first draft, I had Netherlands winning gold. I changed my mind. Great Britain will still be kicking themselves that they did not make it whilst Australia really disappointed.
Women’s Event
Netherlands won all five of their games in the group to top Group A. In Group B Australia edged Argentina despite both teams being unbeaten. In the quarter finals, China would upset Australia 3-2, coming from behind to get the victory. Argentina would beat Germany on a shootout with the Germans not scoring any of their four attempts. Netherlands would dominate against Great Britain, winning 3-1. Belgium would beat Spain 2-0 in the final quarter final despite Spain having four penalty corners. Netherlands were dominant in the first semi final, winning 3-0. In the second China came from behind to take Belgium to a shootout, winning 3-2. Both of the medal matchups would go to shootouts. Belgium and Argentina would both lead before a 2-2 finish. It was Argentina who won the shootout to take bronze. Netherlands would spend a long time behind in the final before winning 3-1 in the shootout.
🥇Netherlands 🇳🇱
🥈China 🇨🇳
🥉Argentina 🇦🇷
Netherlands felt like one of the stronger favourites to me and I was surprised they struggled as much in the final as they did. I mentioned China and Belgium as both capable of getting surprise wins.
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