Paris Olympics 2024: 'Sarpanch-Sreejesh' duo helps India clinch historic second consecutive Olympic Bronze in Hockey

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬: After a string of setbacks in the Paris Olympics 2024 for the last 36 hours, the Indian men’s hockey team gave a ‘moment to celebrate’ for the Indian fans. Harmanpreet Singh’s men created history after defeating Spain by 2-1 in the Bronze Medal match to secure the ‘emotional and historic’ second successive Olympic Bronze since their amazing success last time in Tokyo 2020.

“I am sorry for not bringing gold but this medal means a lot for us that we could do this at least for India [winning second consecutive bronze],” said the happy-but-bit-hurt Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh in a post-match conversation with JioCinema. This statement from the team’s skipper also displayed the great intent of the Indian team while approaching the big stage at the ‘Olympics’.

Having said that here’s a look at the quarter-wise match report of the historic Bronze Medal match between India and Spain at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Paris.

A tough fight in the opening quarter

The first quarter started with a brilliant game from both teams,  taking one shot each at the opponent’s goalposts. Sukhjeet Singh happened to make a shot at Spain’s goalpost but the latter’s defence didn’t make and avoided any kind of damage in their circle. After 3 minutes of this turnaround, Spain’s forward Jose Maria attempted a shot at the Indian post.

However, the 27-year-old’s attempt was denied by India’s goalkeeping legend PR Sreejesh to avoid any loss for India in the ninth minute of the match. The game's opening quarter ended on an equal note with a scoreline of 0-0.

India earned ‘last laugh’ after third quarter 

The second quarter of the game started with the Spanish camp’s attacking approach and they didn’t fail to utilize it just in the third minute of the second quarter [18th minute of the match]. The Redsticks skipper Marc Miralles drew the first blood in a penalty stroke to make the scoreline 1-0 in his side’s favour.

The first goal came up as a confidence booster in the Spanish camp for the next five minutes, including two penalty corners, which they missed.

However, the real thrill of the game was awaited in the 30th minute of the game [the last minute of the second quarter]. It was the moment when India was rewarded a penalty corner and the skipper Harmanpreet Singh didn’t make any mistake in smashing an equalizer for his side to make the scoreline 1-1 at the end of the quarter.

India continued their dominance in the third quarter from where they left at the end of the second quarter. This dominance pushed Spain’s defence to concede a penalty corner in the 33rd minute of the game [third minute of the third quarter]. 

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh successfully dodged the Spanish defence to smash the second goal for India and complete his individual double. It took the scoreline 2-1 in India's favour. Luis Calzado-led Spain's defence didn't have any response to the Indian skipper's amazing flick. 

Furthermore, Marc Miralles’ men continued to avoid any damage from the Indian attack and the penultimate quarter of the game ended with a scoreline of 2-1 in India’s favour.

India held nerves to secure successive Olympic Bronze

The Redsticks got a chance to come back just in the first minute of the fourth and last quarter when India conceded a penalty corner just in the first minute of the match. India got a blow in the 53rd minute when Sukhjeet Singh was booked by the referee with a green card.

Subsequently, the men in blue managed to deny any further damage in their circle to end the scoreline 2-1 in their favour and win the historic ‘second consecutive Olympic Bronze’ after success in Tokyo 2020.