Paris 2024: Preview of Women’s Hockey Pool A
Paris, France: The 12 best teams (men’s and women’s) from around the world are converging in Paris as we countdown to the final few days till the start of the Hockey competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Each team comes with the aim of standing on the Olympic podium, while only one can claim the gold medal at the end of the Games.
The first obstacle for all teams in the event come in the form of their pool opponents.
The 12 teams have been split into two pools of 6 teams each, with the top four teams from each pool qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Netherlands
As the reigning Olympic, World, European and FIH Hockey Pro League champions, it comes as little surprise that the Netherlands will be considered as hot favourites to successfully defend the gold medal they won in 2021 at the delayed Tokyo Olympiad.
Belgium
Over the past six years, Belgium’s women have established themselves as a genuine European powerhouse, claiming silver medals at the EuroHockey Championships in both 2017 and the 2023 event in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
Germany
Having won every major title on offer and always genuine contenders for a place on the podium, 2004 Olympic gold medallists Germany have an international record to be proud of.
The team coached by Valentin Altenburg – who guided Germany men to Olympic bronze at Rio 2016 – proved their class once again in August 2023, taking the bronze medal at the EuroHockey Championships, which were played on home turf in Mönchengladbach.
Japan
Having featured in every Olympic Games since Athens 2004, Japan’s women’s hockey team will once again be in action on the world’s greatest sporting stage.
The Cherry Blossoms qualified for their sixth successive Olympics thanks to a third place finish at the 2024 FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier in Ranchi (IND), which offered Paris 2024 tickets to the top three finishers.
China
After clinching gold at last October’s postponed Asian Games 2022 to secure their spot at Paris 2024, China will be feeling optimistic about their chances for Olympic success. The Beijing 2008 Olympic silver medallists were sensational on home soil in Hangzhou, winning all six of their matches without conceding a single goal.
France
Although granted a place in the Paris 2024 hockey competitions by virtue of hosting the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, the French teams have no intention of simply making up the numbers.
This moment has been years in the making, with both the men’s and women’s teams working tirelessly in readiness for the once in a lifetime chance to compete in a home Olympic Games.
