At Stade Yves-du-Manoir, India defeated Spain 2-1 in the men’s hockey bronze medal game of the Paris Olympics 2024, thanks to two penalty corner conversions by Harmanpreet Singh. India, which had previously won bronze in Tokyo three years prior, therefore achieved back-to-back Olympic medals for the first time in 52 years. India last won 2 consecutive Olympic hockey gold in 1968 and 1972. In his farewell game for India, veteran goalie PR Sreejesh produced some extraordinary saves to keep Spanish captain Marc Miralles out of the penalty area. Following the final siren, the Indian players surrounded Sreejesh, completing an incredible send-off for the 36-year-old.
In the 18th minute of the match, Spain took the lead and India had to fight back. In just 3 minutes, Harmanpreet changed the course of the game and secured victory for India. He came on at the perfect time. Sreejesh stepped up to seal the victory, and the Indian defense appeared to be rock solid at the back. India attempted their initial circle penetration, but to no avail, and the first 5 minutes were a cagey affair for both teams. With a nice run near D and a pass to his teammate, Hardik gave Sukhjeet the first genuine opportunity of the game. Sukhjeet missed the mark with his shot.
The country is feeling proud of the players, Modi said, praising the resilience exhibited by the team after its semifinal loss to Germany.
“The Indian hockey team wins the bronze medal at the Olympics, showcasing their brilliance! The prime minister wrote on X that “this is even more special because it is their second consecutive Medal at the Olympics.” He added, “The players showed immense grit and resilience.” The hockey team’s success is a triumph of skill, perseverance, and team spirit. “Hockey has an emotional connection for every Indian, and this achievement will increase the sport’s popularity among our country’s youth,” Modi mentioned.
