News for 06 July 2021
All the news for Tuesday 6 July 2021
2021 Test Matches ESP v ARG (M) - 6 July
Valencia (ESP)
4 Jul 2021 ESP v ARG 0 - 0
5 Jul 2021 ESP v ARG 2 - 2
7 Jul 2021 11:00 (GMT +2) ESP v ARG
FIH Match Centre
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Spotlight on India
In the latest of our Olympic Spotlights series we focus on India, one of the most famous hockey playing nations on earth.
It has been over 40 years since India men claimed the most recent of their incredible eight Olympic hockey gold medals. However, their superb form in recent times makes them serious contenders to claim a ninth title at the upcoming event in Tokyo. The team has claimed victories against nearly all of the top teams in world hockey over the past couple of years, with Australian-born Head Coach Graham Reid getting the best out of a talented and exceptionally fit collection of athletes. India booked their ticket to Tokyo with two victories over Russia in the 2019 FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, winning 4-2 and 7-1 in Bhubaneswar.
India women, coached by Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, have been making steady progress in the past few years, moving up the FIH World Rankings as well as making the cut for the major events. Rio 2016 was India’s first Olympic appearance since 1980, and The Eves are back again for a second successive Games here at Tokyo 2020. They earned their place in dramatic fashion through the 2019 FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, claiming a thrilling 6-5 aggregate victory over USA in Bhubaneswar. Having won the opening game 5-1, India found themselves 4-0 down to the Americans in Match 2 before team captain Rani fired home a stunning fourth quarter strike to secure that all important ticket to Tokyo.
Ahead of their respective title challenges at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, we caught up with goalkeeping aces PR Sreejesh – who will compete in a third Olympic Games – and Savita – who will feature in her second – to get the low-down on how the teams were shaping up.
PR Sreejesh and Savita, two long time servants of your respective India national teams, thank you both so much for talking to us! Sreejesh, your team must be very excited about heading to Japan in the quest for that gold medal.
PR Sreejesh: “Definitely, it’s been a long time. We have been dreaming about this Olympics because, as you know, it was supposed to happen last year. Now we are almost there, and we have announced our team, so I am super excited to join this bunch of youngsters to play the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It’s interesting because it will be very different to previous Olympic Games. Before it was like a festival, a place where you could meet up, catch up and enjoy each other. But now, everyone will be a bit more aware of their safety, to ensure that they don’t test positive and stay in the tournament. It is a really great honour to be part of this team, playing in the Tokyo Olympics.”
And you Savita, how is the women’s team feeling, as we get close to the Games?
Savita: “We are waiting for that moment. It was the same last year. We knew that the Tokyo Olympics was coming but it didn’t happen because of covid. So, it has been one year more that we have been waiting. Now everyone is excited, and we are ready for the Olympics.”
Staying with you Savita, it must mean a lot to you, representing your country at an Olympic Games.
Savita: “Yes. Last time (at Rio 2016), we qualified for the first time in 36 years. That moment was a very proud one for us, and for me as well. Honestly, I was not very happy about my performance at the last Olympics, so I was really waiting for this Olympics! For me, my parents and everyone is proud that I am playing for my country.”
Same question to you Sreejesh. It is fulfilling a childhood dream, right?
PR Sreejesh: “For me, it is something beyond my dreams. I am from Kerala, and we do not have a rich history of hockey in my state. Coming from a state like that and playing three Olympics, it is beyond my dreams. When it comes to the Olympic Games, we have a rich history, when you talk about India. We have eight gold medals, as well as silver and bronze medals, so it is a great honour for me to wear that jersey, stepping on the field in the Olympic Games. Every time I am stepping on the field, it gives me an immense sense of responsibility, because I am determined to get those glory days back for my country. I just want to make sure that our people and fans are happy and proud about our performance. This jersey comes with more responsibility, and we have to adjust to that responsibility.”
In Tokyo, the focus will be all about getting out of those tough looking pools and into the quarter-finals. Sreejesh, your team face reigning Olympic champions Argentina, Australia, Spain, New Zealand and Japan in Pool A. What are your thoughts about the pool?
PR Sreejesh: “When you look at Pool B, I think we are in a comparably better position to qualify for the quarter-finals. In recent times at the Olympic Games, the quarter-finals are everything. In 2012, the top two teams [in each pool] qualified for the semi-finals, but now the teams get one more opportunity [to progress]. When you look at our pool, Australia is definitely one of the toughest opponents we have. Also Argentina, the previous champion, and Spain are really great nowadays. Japan are not a team to underestimate, playing on their home ground. New Zealand are looking really sharp nowadays. In their matches against Australia they showcased a really wonderful performance. It isn’t going to be easy for us to jump into the quarter-finals, but you can see that the quarter-finals are going to be really tough. There you can see Germany, Belgium, Holland and Great Britain, who are all waiting for us. It’s only a matter of five games where you need to find a good rhythm, to gain confidence ahead of meeting a big team in the quarter-finals.”
And Savita, the women’s are in Pool A alongside the World, European and FIH Hockey Pro League champions the Netherlands, Olympic champions Great Britain, Germany, Ireland and South Africa. It will be a challenge, but one I am sure India are really looking forward to taking on.
Savita: “Yes, we are looking forward to it. We know the Olympics are hard, and in both pools, every team is a strong team. We learned a lot of things from the last Olympics because we spent too long thinking about the rankings of the other teams. Of course, we know that Holland are a very good team, and the others, but now we are focussing on ourselves and our plan, what we have to do and going match by match. We will be giving it our best.”
Finally, both teams recently stated that any medal success in Tokyo would be dedicated to everyone who has been at the front line of fighting the covid-19 pandemic in India. It is a wonderful gesture – can you both tell us more about it, starting with you, Savita?
Savita: “Everyone knows what the scenario is now here in India. Things have been getting better, but the last two or three months have been not so good. We decided as a team that at the Olympics, we are playing for our covid warriors. We dedicate it to them.”
And you, Sreejesh?
Sreejesh: “This is the time of the pandemic, and everyone who sits in their rooms or at their houses, we are always feeling safe. But there are many who are working in the medical field, in the forces, the police, the social workers, even the delivery boys, they are all doing a wonderful job to keep us safe. That gesture came from all of us in the team. Now we are all working hard and sitting in comfort because of them, and they are the real heroes. They deserve some sort of recognition. Being an athlete or a player, I think this is one way that we can show our respect to them. So, any good performance at this Olympic Games goes to them, as they are the real warriors.”
The hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will take place from Saturday 24 July to Friday 6 August 2021. Both the men’s and women’s competitions feature 12 teams, split into two pools of six ahead of quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches. For more information about the hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, visit https://tokyo2020.org/en/sports/hockey/.
Visit Watch.Hockey App to view the full interview.
#Tokyo2020
#StrongerTogether
#HockeyInvites
FIH site
Mary Kom, Manpreet Singh to carry India’s flag at Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony
This will be the first time that India will have two flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of an Olympics. Bajrang Punia will carry the flag during the closing ceremony.
By Rahul Venkat
Mary Kom, Manpreet Singh to carry India’s flag at Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony
London Olympics bronze medallist MC Mary Kom and men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh will be India’s flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on July 23.
Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia, meanwhile, has been chosen as the flag-bearer for the closing ceremony on August 8, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said on Monday.
“I think it's a huge honour to be named the flag bearer for the opening ceremony alongside the incredible Mary Kom. I have always been inspired by her journey in boxing and personally, this is a big moment in my career, and it is also a huge moment for hockey,” said Manpreet Singh.
“I am looking forward to the responsibility at the opening ceremony in Tokyo.”
This will be the first time that there will be two Indian flag-bearers at the Olympics’ opening ceremony.
The flag-bearer at the Olympic Games is a symbolic leader, who is the first person to march a country’s delegation out during the grand opening ceremony parade. The person proudly displays the country’s flag during the parade.
The Indian contingent for Tokyo 2020 will feature around 120 athletes, who will be competing for 85 medal positions. The competitors will be accompanied by 75 officials to Japan.
Tokyo 2020 will be Indian boxing ace Mary Kom’s second Olympics, while it will be a third one for Manpreet Singh.
Mary Kom will now be the third woman - after Shiny Abraham-Wilson (Barcelona 1992) and Anju Bobby George (Athens 2004) - to carry the flag for India.
The legendary Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr, Abhinav Bindra, Sushil Kumar, Zafar Iqbal, Leander Paes and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore are the other Olympic medallists who have been India’s flag-bearers.
Former hockey captain Balbir Singh Sr is the only Indian athlete to carry the flag at two different Olympic Games - in 1952 and 1956.
Manpreet Singh will be the sixth hockey player to carry India’s flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
Abhinav Bindra, gold-medallist from Beijing 2008, was the flag-bearer for India at the 2016 Rio Olympics opening. Olympic silver medallist shuttler PV Sindhu did the honours in the closing ceremony.
Olympic Channel
Huge honour to be named flagbearer at Tokyo Olympics, says Manpreet
Hockey captain to hoist Tricolour at Olympics opening ceremony along with Mary Kom
While Mary Kom and Manpreet Singh will be flagbearers at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, Bajrang Punia will be the flagbearer at the closing ceremony. file photos
Celebrated boxer MC Mary Kom and men’s hockey team skipper Manpreet Singh will be the country’s flagbearers at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced today.
One of India’s biggest medal hopes, wrestler Bajrang Punia, will be the flagbearer at the closing ceremony on August 8. The IOA has communicated the decision in this regard to the organising committee of the Tokyo Games.
In a first, India will have two flagbearers — one male and one female — at the upcoming Games to ensure “gender parity”. This was recently informed by IOA chief Narinder Batra.
“It would be a huge moment for me given that it is my last Olympics. Who knows I might even get emotionally overwhelmed,” Mary Kom told PTI. “I am truly honoured to get this opportunity of leading the team out during the opening ceremony and I thank the sports ministry and IOA for naming me. It would be added motivation for me. I promise to do my best for a medal,” the six-time world champion added.
The country’s sole individual Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra was the flagbearer at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“This is amazing, and I am speechless. I think it’s a huge honour to be named the flagbearer for the opening ceremony alongside the incredible Mary Kom,” Manpreet was quoted as saying in a Hockey India release. “I have always been inspired by her journey in boxing and personally for me, this is a big moment in my career, and it is also a huge moment for hockey. I thank the IOA for this great opportunity, and am looking forward to the responsibility at the opening ceremony in Tokyo,” he added.
The Tokyo Games are scheduled to open on July 23 and over 100 Indian athletes would be gunning for podium finishes at the showpiece, which was postponed by a year because of the pandemic.
At its executive board meeting last year, the International Olympic Committee had made provisions for flagbearers from both genders at the opening ceremony. “...the IOC executive board also decided that there should be — for the first time ever — at least one female and one male athlete in every one of the 206 teams and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team participating at the Games,” IOC chief Thomas Bach had said.
The Tribune
Is Belgium over the top?
Roelant Oltmans shares his thoughts ahead of Tokyo
Coach Roelant Oltmans
Following the recent European Championships the renowned Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans was asked by thehockeysite.com to share his thoughts about the Euros with Tokyo just around the corner. In a live “ask me anything” session with hockey coaches from all over the world he did not hold back.
Black Sticks keepers’ united front ahead of gold medal tilt
Suzanne McFadden
They could be fierce rivals. But Black Sticks goalkeepers (in red) Grace O'Hanlon, left, and Georgia Barnett have become close mates and motivators on the road to Tokyo. Simon Watt/BW Media
It's not easy for an Aussie to fit into a Kiwi team. But Queensland-born Grace O'Hanlon has become the Black Sticks' Olympic goalkeeper, thanks in large part to the bond she's made with fellow keeper, Georgia Barnett.
Their story begins in a bar on Topless Thursday.
Black Sticks goalkeepers Grace O’Hanlon and Georgia Barnett can’t help themselves laughing about the first time they met as players at the end of 2019.
Barnett, who made her Black Sticks debut in 2012, had taken a break from hockey after missing out on the team for the 2016 Rio Olympics. For three years, she focused on finishing her marketing degree and working for the family business, OBO, which makes goalkeeping gear.
“But I always felt I had a bit more to give,” she says.
O’Hanlon, an Australian who became an overnight Kiwi hero as the super sub in the 2018 Commonwealth Games dramatic semifinal penalty shootout, knew Barnett professionally.
“G was my actually my sponsor,” O’Hanlon says. “We weren’t really friends. We didn’t text.”
But as soon as Barnett returned to the Black Sticks fold and moved from her hometown of Palmerston North to Auckland, O’Hanlon reached out a gloved hand and suggested they go out for a beer.
“I was thinking ‘This is my kid of gal’,” Barnett says. “This is starting on a really good foot – our first hockey interaction wasn’t out on the turf.”
What started out as one beer stretched to three or four hours chewing the fat. “It was a Thursday afternoon at a tradie bar. And the girls serving the beers got more and more naked to a point where we realised it was ‘Topless Thursday’,” O’Hanlon says.
“I thought Grace had stitched me up,” Barnett laughs. O’Hanlon still claims ignorance. “But it turned out to be a pretty good icebreaker.”
Something clicked with the pair. And over the next two years, they’d become friends rather than rivals, who’d help each other immensely on the road to the Tokyo Olympics. Even when it meant only one of them would make the Black Sticks team.
In the lead-up to Tokyo, Grace O'Hanlon and Georgia Barnett sometimes flipped a coin to see who'd take the field first. Simon Watt/BW Media
'Keepers are different'
Sitting in the lounge of the National Hockey Centre in Albany, O’Hanlon and Barnett have an hour before their afternoon Black Sticks training session. It’s a few days before they fly to Perth to play Australia in two Pro League matches delayed by Covid-19, before heading to Tokyo.
But only one of them will walk out on the turf.
The 16-strong side for the Olympics includes only one goalkeeper, and O’Hanlon made the cut.
Barnett will still go to Tokyo, but as the travelling reserve. And she sees her role as making O’Hanlon as razor-sharp and fired up as she can be, which is crucial to the Black Sticks’ success.
“As a second goalie, having a role to play when you aren’t on the turf is actually really important. I don’t see it as a weight,” Barnett, 26, says.
“In a sense, Grace and I only have each other. When you sign to be a goalkeeper, not only do you look physically different to all the other players on your team, but you have to be there 10 minutes earlier to get all your gear on, then you have to warm up differently. Every way you look at it, keepers are different.
“Only goalkeepers know what it’s like to be a goalkeeper. So we understand that if I want to play my best, I need Grace on my side… If we want the team to do well, we need to be on each other’s side.
“If we compete against each other, it’s only to make each other better; not to stamp each other down. If Grace makes a wicked save, I’m like ‘S..t that was good, now I need to make a bloody good save too’.”
O’Hanlon, 28, says she’s playing “100 per cent better” since Barnett returned to international hockey.
“In other training partnerships I’ve had in other teams, there’s been a lot more friction. But to me, that’s counterintuitive,” she says.
“Having the environment and the confidence to do well, because we’re supportive of each other and building each other up all the time, has been psychologically freeing.”
Black Sticks keepers Grace O'Hanlon (foreground) and Georgia Barnett pad up for a Pro League match. Simon Watt/BW Media
At no point in the last two years has O’Hanlon felt she and Barnett were fiercely competing to stand in goal.
“It’s quite a stressful time of your life and when you have to spend all that time with another individual, man you’re lucky when it’s not someone who’s secretly hoping you fail,” O’Hanlon says.
“At the end of day, you can’t begrudge someone for having exactly the same dream as you, someone who wants to achieve the same as you.”
Although both keepers admit going to an Olympics to play hockey wasn’t always a dream for either of them.
Becoming a Black Stick
Barnett grew up playing football and dreamed of a college scholarship in the United States, and maybe playing for the Football Ferns at a World Cup. But in 2009, still at Palmerston North Girls High, she ruptured her ACL. During her rehab, the school’s hockey 2nd XI needed a goalkeeper, so she padded up.
She had the foot-eye co-ordination – and the gear.
Meanwhile, O’Hanlon was growing up in Queensland, and although she had posters of Australia’s Hockeyroos on her wall, she never pictured herself as an Olympian.
“It was one of those things your crazy aunty might say: ‘Oh, you might go to the Olympics’,” she says. “Even when I ended up in the Australian hockey programme, it still wasn’t on my radar. I was just delaying getting a full-time job.”
But by the end of 2016, when her path was blocked by more senior Australian goalkeepers, she decided to further her hockey career by crossing the Tasman. Her dad, Greg, was born and raised in west Auckland, so she trialled for the Black Sticks and made the grade.
Starting on a new path mid-career, though, scared O’Hanlon.
“All the girls I grew up with are wearing an Australian dress now. I left that part of my journey to start again in the middle of someone else’s,” she says.
“It was quite an isolating moment - you feel like an outsider, trying to fit into what is quite a well-established culture. All of the [Black Sticks] players have known each other since they were teeny tiny. So, it was really important to try to put down roots here.”
She sealed her place in the team who won gold at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games – substituted on for the deciding shootout against England in the semifinals and saving four of the five English penalties.
She's a keeper: Black Sticks goalies Grace O'Hanlon and Georgia Barnett at the National Hockey Centre. Newsroom
“When you’re in the washing machine cycle of it, it’s not till you’ve settled down and reflect back on it, that you think ‘Oh wow, go you, good on you for making it through’,” she says.
Barnett appreciates how much O’Hanlon, a qualified chemical engineer, gave up moving to New Zealand.
“All that sacrifice she made, her personal life and her career put on hold to follow this dream. I think it’s so cool, and I have a real sense of pride that she’s been able to do that,” Barnett says.
“I’m just stubborn,” O’Hanlon insists.
Unorthodox vs Textbook
There’s very little between the two Black Sticks goalkeepers in terms of skill.
“I don’t see any difference in our ability. Period,” says O’Hanlon, who’s played 65 tests for New Zealand. “Either one of us could have stood there and it would have been exactly the same for the team.
“I think the only reason I was selected is because I have a nose more experience. I’ve been playing more international hockey in this Olympic cycle and that’s all.”
But they play differently. Where Barnett is a “textbook” keeper, O’Hanlon by her own admission is “unorthodox – I don’t have the limbs for technical,” she says. “Same result, very different pathways."
Barnett, who has 37 caps, agrees, but reckons there’s one area where O’Hanlon has the upper hand.
“I do think she’s better at shoot-outs,” they both laugh. “We’ll give her that one.”
Barnett admits the Olympic selection was tough. “We both knew it would only be one of us – but that didn’t change anything between us,” she says.
As the reserve keeper in Tokyo, Barnett can be called into the team right up until the day of the final if O’Hanlon is injured and can’t keep playing in the competition. But she doubts that will happen.
“Because everyone uses such good gear these days, Grace isn’t going to get injured,” Barnett explains.
Tarryn Davey gives Black Sticks team-mate Grace O'Hanlon a high-five during a match against Great Britain in 2019. Kate McShane/Getty Images
“The only niggly part,” O’Hanlon chips in, “is if there’s a catastrophic injury to the goalie during the game, then one of the girls [who play in the field] has to put the kit on.” No-one has put their hand up yet.
What happens after Tokyo, neither keeper has decided.
They know they will continue to spend “quite stupid amounts of time” talking on the phone. “I will call with one question and it will be an hour and a half later, and then ‘Anyway, I better go to work’,” O’Hanlon says. “We always have schemes and plots running, trying to solve the world’s problems.
“So don’t retire and block my calls,” she orders Barnett.
“Last year, as weird as it was, probably stripped back our hockey friendship, because we weren’t playing hockey,” says Barnett, who at the first lockdown went home to Palmerston North to her marketing coordinator job at OBO and her partner.
“Grace and I talked about life and our common interest in the business world. I see it as being indicative of what our relationship will be post-hockey. It was special.”
O’Hanlon now calls Auckland home. “My partner has moved over and has fallen madly in love with New Zealand, so it looks like we’re staying. But I have no plans after Tokyo,” she says.
“I worked at a stockbroking firm for the last year and loved it - it’s competitive and fast-paced. And I got to wear all my blazers. Corporate life is a novelty when you spend all the rest of your time on the pitch.
“I think these Olympic Games will be a decider in a big way – whether I’m hitting my straps, or whether I’m over the hill. I’ll let that decision make itself.”
“Whatever happens post Olympics, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. But it’s not over for either of us as a partnership,” adds Barnett. “What I want to portray to Grace is that we’ve come this far together, and we need to keep going together as well.”
Stuff
1972 Munich Olympics: India's era of dominance in hockey ends
In 1972, we had a team that, on paper, was capable of regaining the gold but we came back with a bronze.
Ajit Pal Singh
Goalkeeper Frederic Manuel falls in front of Pakistan’s Abdur Rashid during India’s 0-2 loss in the semifinals in Munich on September 8, 1972. - The Hindu Photo Library
When we went to Mexico City in 1968, I was still a college student and one of the youngest in the side. We were the defending champions but came back with bronze because of several reasons. Four years later, in 1972, we had a team that, on paper, was capable of regaining the gold.
The Munich Games will forever be known for the Games Village massacre and it was tragic, but honestly, I don’t think that had anything to do with our own performances or results. Yes, the Indian block was very close to the Israeli block, maybe 60-70 metres away. We had to cross the common area walkways to reach the dining hall and we could see the masked men on the roofs of the Israeli block. Clearly they could see us too. But they did not bother with any other athlete.
Our team was a good mix of youth and experience, but everyone was mature. Post-1968, a lot of players had been dropped barring four-five, and a new team was being built from 1970 onwards. But we lost because of our own mistakes, some during the tournament and some even before. Against Pakistan in the semifinals, we got 16 penalty corners, if I remember correctly. We could not convert any, plus we missed open sitters. How can any team at that level expect to win a game, leave aside gold, with such a performance?
Captain Ajit Pal Singh (centre) with his team. - The Hindu Photo Library
I would say, and most in the team agreed even back then, that we messed up with the selections, too. Two players who should have been there, regardless of who was dropped, were Surjit Singh (made his debut the next year at the World Cup) and Balbir Singh of Railways (who was part of the 1968 team). Mukhbain Singh was the only penalty corner hitter. Surjit could have replaced him if needed; he was excellent but was not included in the side. Also, if I am not wrong, Aslam Sher Khan did not play a single game. All these were our own mistakes.
Earlier it was only India or Holland in the 1950s. Now there was Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Spain and of course Pakistan. Back then, an Indian hockey team never thought of anything less than gold from any competition, and it was both a pressure and a confidence-booster for youngsters like me. But I had realised, even back in 1968, that the competition was getting tougher and India could no longer stroll to an Olympics gold. We did come back with bronze, but we knew the era of solo dominance was firmly over.
Ajit Pal Singh was a member of the bronze-winning Indian teams at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics.
As told to Uthra Ganesan
Sportstar
1980 Olympics hockey gold: We learnt everything in nine days in Moscow
Used to playing on grassy ground throughout in India, our boys had the first experience on the turf playing matches against the host.
V. Baskaran
The Indian players jump for joy after beating Spain 4-3 in the final on July 31, 1980. - The Hindu Photo Library
It will come as a huge surprise to those of the current generation, perhaps, when I say that the Indian men’s team played its first-ever match on artificial turf in Moscow hardly nine days before the 1980 Olympics.
Used to playing on grassy ground in India, our boys had the first experience on the turf playing matches against the host. Each practice session or match, with the expertise of our coach Balkishan Singh, we used it to the best of our capabilities. No doubt, it was a great learning experience discussing the finer details of the behaviour of the turf with the leather ball.
Our boys, comprising mostly under-21 players who had played only in the junior nationals, though inexperienced, were hungry. The few senior players were myself, M. K. Kaushik, Bir Bahadur Chettri and Sylvanus Dung Dung.
Most of the European countries including Spain and Germany had artificial turfs and had experienced players. Everyone thought we were easy targets, and they weren’t way off the mark.
We played four matches against the Russian team, lost three, but managed to draw (3-3) our last match. That was a huge relief for us!
Truth be told, we learnt everything in those nine days in Moscow. After the 2-2 draw with Poland — thanks to the last minute goal which was the equaliser by Mervyn Fernandes — we made it to the semifinals.
Against Russia, we changed our tactics by tweaking the way we take penalty corners. Generally, I took the ball from the right from the pusher and passed it to the attacker. This time, I took it on my left — not my natural position — and passed it either to S. S. Sodhi or Kaushik.
Our tactics against Russia worked well as it not only confused them, but also helped us score goals.
Making a marked Mohammed Shahid play as centre-forward from inside-left and using Mervyn as a link instead of his usual position as inside-forward did the trick as we won 4-2.
The captain Baskaran himself. - The Hindu Photo Library
Against Spain in the final, we were very confident. In the first five minutes, the way we played was so good as our passes and interceptions were spot-on. It gave us the necessary momentum.
We led 3-1 at half-time and Shahid scored to make it 4-1. Midway into the second half, Davinder Singh received a yellow card.
With 16 minutes remaining, Spain reduced the margin 4-2. We played badly from the 70th minute onwards, losing the ball frequently. Juan Amat played well as usual with his penalty corners and the scoreline read 4-3.
With three minutes remaining, we gave away three penalty corners. I made two goalline saves from Amat’s penalty strikes in the last few minutes. And the rest, as they say, is history.
V. Baskaran captained India at the Moscow Olympics.
As told to K. Keerthivasan
Sportstar
Polytan Most Magical Skill Award: vote for your favourite FIH Hockey Pro League 2020-21 moment
The 2020-21 edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League may have come to an end, but there is still time for you to cast your vote on some of the wonderful flashes of brilliance that graced the turf during this extended edition of the competition.
With a six-strong shortlist to choose from, the Polytan Most Magical Skill Award gives fans the opportunity to pick a moment that really captured the magic of our sport. The complete shortlist can be found below.
FIH HOCKEY PRO LEAGUE’S FASTEST GOAL | IND vs NED | Gurjant Singh
India make FIH Hockey Pro League debut with one of the fastest goals ever scored in the history of the sport against the Netherlands.
MARVELLOUS MERRY’S (NZL) FOUR GOALS v ARGENTINA
New Zealand super-striker Olivia Merry scores four goals in superb victory over Las Leonas.
SKILLFUL ARGENTINA DEFEAT NETHERLANDS |Delfina Merino
Delfina Merino seals Argentina triumph against the World, European and FIH Hockey Pro League champions the Netherlands.
3 GOALS IN 3 MINUTES! | Belgium vs Netherlands (M)
A magical three-minute spell in classic men’s Low Countries derby match encounter between Belgium and the Netherlands.
GRANATTO’S (ARG) SOLO GOAL v AUSTRALIA
Argentina’s Victoria Granatto twists, turns and fires home against Australia (7 March 2020).
CONSTANTIN STAIB’S (GER) SUPERB GOAL v ARGENTINA
Constantin Staib's outrageous goal for Germany against Argentina, where he fired between his own legs after a brilliant build-up.
To register your vote, simply click here. The voting will close on Monday 12th July 2021 at 23:00 (UTC), with the winner being announced in the following days. Thanks for voting!
#FIHProLeague
Official FIH Pro League Site
3D Printed Brace Helps Field Hockey Star Win European Championship
by Vanesa Listek
During one of the matches for the first Women’s Euro Hockey League (EHL), Dutch hockey star Eva de Goede fractured her left wrist after a collision with the German team’s goalkeeper Amy Gibson. The future felt bleak for this three-time Olympic medalist as she underwent surgery and saw her preparations for the upcoming Olympics severely hampered. However, a special, custom-made postoperative 3D printed brace to support her wrist made it possible for her to rejoin the squad in time for the EuroHockey Championship held in June 2021. With her special brace, the team captain went on to win a historic 11th and third consecutive EuroHockey Championship title for the Dutch women’s team, beating Germany 2-0 in the final.
Eva de Goede injured after a match. Image courtesy of WorldSportics.
When de Goede stepped out onto the field for the tournament, just weeks after the injury and wearing a sleek, black, 3D printed brace, she was at the top of her game. At the time, the athlete said on social media, “not even in my wildest dreams would I have pictured myself here already.” The 3D printed dynamic brace that helped her win the European championship was developed through a collaborative effort between Dutch 3D printing company Beamler, 3D printing software provider Artus3D, healthcare business Centrum Orthopedic, and physio-hand therapist Saskia Sizoo.
First, a 3D scan was made of de Goede’s hand by Centrum Orthopedie, which Artus3D then processed to generate a 3D model of the brace. Next, in cooperation with Saskia Sizoo, they printed a special design called the Sizoo dynamic wrist brace 2.0, originally developed in 2020 to help people with wrist problems speed up rehabilitation. The design was then printed within a day through Beamler’s on-demand 3D printing platform.
Eva de Goede played in the EuroHockey Championship with a 3D-printed brace after a wrist fracture. Image courtesy of Artus3D.
Just seven weeks after the operation, de Goede was competing at an international level with the help of the Sizoo dynamic wrist splint, which enormously accelerated the rehabilitation of the operated wrist fracture. The brace worked so well that the 32-year-old midfield star scored three times during the championship and was even awarded the “Player of the Tournament” title.
de Goede described the win as one of her “more precious victories,” probably because playing the game seemed like a very distant possibility at the time of her injury in early April 2021. “I owe this gold medal to the quick rehabilitation process with Saskia and the fast orthosis production. When I broke my wrist, I didn’t yet dare to dream of this, but I aimed for the 1% chance that it could happen. It’s been a life-changer for me, so I can recommend the Sizoo dynamic brace to anybody dealing with the same type of injury.”
Eva de Goede played in the EuroHockey Championship with a 3D printed brace after a wrist fracture. Image courtesy of Eva de Goede via Instagram.
Braces have rigorous specifications, including excellent mechanical properties to prevent the articulation from shifting, and should also be flexible at room temperature for more comfort. This customized brace was printed with multi-jet fusion technology and employed the thermoplastic elastomer thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). According to Beamler, the process guaranteed a short delivery time, low porosity, and excellent surface finish. In addition, additive manufacturing (AM) is perfectly suited for making this type of supportive braces, reducing manufacturing time and price compared to other more traditional technologies.
With such a high risk of sports-related injuries among professional athletes, orthosis braces show great potential. Statistics reveal that millions of athletes will sustain an injury at some point in their careers; many even reportedly play injured, which can be even more dangerous. Although sprains and strains are among some of the most common injuries, fractures, like de Goede, happen in just about every sport, often resulting from ill-timed tackles and collisions. Long ago, 3D printing began moving into the athletics realm, enabling sports goods manufacturers to develop unique items for athletes that fit their measurements perfectly and utilize the best materials modern technologies have to offer.
Lately, companies have been developing bespoke 3D printed athletic shoes, such as Adidas and Nike. The two mega sports brands announced running shoes with 3D printed soles that allow better comfort and reduced weight, thanks to collaborations with some big players in 3D printing. But even more important is the trend of 3D printing applications for sports injury prevention. Mainly seen through the manufacture of custom-made helmets for American football, biking, or hockey. For example, the 3D printed helmets used in the National Football League (NFL) are among the most performant in the world because of their unique design that fits the athlete’s head perfectly, with a lattice structure that offers superior protection compared to the traditional foam used in helmets.
Eva de Goede played in the EuroHockey Championship with a 3D printed brace after a wrist fracture. Image courtesy of Willem Vernes.
Now that de Goede got back to the game, she is looking forward to the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. With 235 international matches, the captain of Orange and most experienced player in the Netherlands hopes to take home the gold medal for the third time this summer. The Netherlands is one of the twelve teams that have qualified for Tokyo, and as this will be de Goede’s final Games, she wants to help her younger teammates feel the experience of winning gold.
3DPrint.com
Western Australia Masters Hockey Association celebrates 40 years
In 1979 with the completion of the new Perth Hockey Stadium, the first artificial turf in Australia, a group of ageing hockey players got together and decided to run an interstate hockey carnival so over 40s could get a chance to play on the new surface, writes Bill Murphy.
Invitations where sent out to all states and the carnival was held in 1980 with Western Australia (WA), Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and WA Country taking part.
WA Country (WAC) were invited because Harold Smith who had played for Australia in the early 50s lived in Albany, some 420 kilometres south east of Perth, and it was decided to invite the country boys to take part with Harold as the Captain/Coach.
The President of the Eastern Goldfields Men’s Hockey Association, David Horsley was appointed as manager. He is still playing for WAC today and WA Country hockey veterans was up and running.
The WA Country Masters Hockey Association says it has gone from strength to strength and “is the envy of many other States.”
As well as winning bronze in the 55s at the National Masters Championships, Play the Whistle Awards in the 45 and 70s, seven WAC players were selected to play for Australia in 2019.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the WA Country Masters Hockey Association, WAC is having a reunion get-together to celebrate.
If you live in Western Australia and can get there, or you can get a pass through the border and you would like to head over, it’s on at the Parade River Room in the Parade Hotel, Bunbury on August 29.
SIGN UP for The Hockey Paper’s returning newsletter: Promotions, exclusives and our best coverage
The Hockey Paper
Kelburne & Watsonians win Scottish U14 Cup Finals
Congratulations to Kelburne Boys and Watsonians Girls for winning the inaugural U14 National Club Cups at Dalnacraig on Sunday 4 July.
In a celebration of youth hockey to end a challenging season, all the teams played their part in creating a festival atmosphere in the Dundee sunshine.
U14 Boys
In the Boys’ event, Kelburne and Grove Menzieshill won their respective Pools with 100% records to set up a thrilling final. With the scores level at 1-1 after 20 minutes, it went to running penalties, and Kelburne held their nerve to win 1-0. Their heroes were co-captain Tommy Austin who scored the winner, and goalie Ally Glen who made some amazing saves. Colin Fraser, Scottish Hockey President, presented the medals to both finalists.
Inverleith beat Clydesdale 3-0 to claim a well-earned 3rd place; and Dundee Wanderers edged Watsonians 1-0 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to claim 5th.
U14 Girls
The Girls’ event was equally exciting. Watsonians won both their matches in Pool A, and Uddingston edged Gullane 3-2 in a thriller to win Pool B. In an end-to-end final, both goalkeepers made a series of excellent saves before Watsonians’ Amy Edgar scored with a reverse stick shot. Captain, Amy Clark sealed a 2-0 win with a superb running penalty. Lucy Camlin (Scotland Women’s goalie) presented the medals and trophy.
Gullane claimed 3rd with a 1-0 win v Kelburne; and Granite City were 5th after a 4-2 win v Grove Menzieshill.
A huge thank you to the Clubs and Districts for all their efforts to play the qualifiers and finals, and to all coaches and umpires. We finally managed to play a youth competition in the 2020-21 season!
Scottish Hockey Union media release
SA Hockey pays tribute to Bags
The South African Hockey Community were saddened last week by the passing of the legendary Don "Bags" Perry. Don was an integral member of the South African Hockey family, particularly in Kwazulu Natal where he served in various different roles and achieved tremendous success.
In 1969 Bags got called up to the National team as an injury replacement but was not utilised and ultimately never got to play for the country. He was however a manager for the national team, convenor of selection and arguably the most successful provincial coaches in South African history. He was a gifted player but an incredible coach and people manager. Leaving a wake of inspiration wherever he went.
Don was integral in setting up hockey lunches and the Protea dinners where former players / coaches and managers got together to reflect on their respective journeys. Don made South Africa a better place and more importantly made the hockey world a better place. We will all miss him!
Gordon Pentecost paid tribute to his friend Don Perry:
"It is with a heavy heart that I advise you of the passing of Don (Bags) Perry in the early hours of this morning.
As you are well aware, Don’s health had deteriorated recently, and he collapsed over the weekend. Fortunately, an ambulance was called, and he was admitted to Hilton Lifestyle hospital. Unfortunately, he was suffering from organ failure but passed away peacefully.
Don’s contribution to South African Hockey and in particular Natal Hockey was immense. He played for Natal for many years and then after his retirement took on the role as President of Natal Hockey (prior to the breaking away of Midlands), which position he served with distinction.
He coached the Natal Men’s team to a multitude of Interprovincial titles and has without doubt been the most successful Natal Coach. After his retirement as Coach, he took on the mantel of Convenor of the South African Men’s Hockey Selection Panel. However, it is not what he achieved which made Don stand out as a person.
Hockey was his life and he kept contact with hockey players old and young- frequently meeting them for lunches and breakfasts to reminisce over the old times. In addition, he set up lunches both in Durban and in Pietermaritzburg where hockey players could meet and remember the old times. It is this brotherhood of hockey players he established that he will always be remembered for.
I know each and every one of you has a memory of Don which you will cherish and just spend a minute thinking of Don, of a man we all loved and respected. To each and every one of you, stay safe and take care."
SA Hockey Association media release