Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Indian men’s hockey team to congratulate the players after the Men in Blue grabbed Paris Olympics 2024 bronze by beating Spain 2-1 on Thursday. India had ended a 41-year drought in Tokyo in 2021 on way to winning a bronze, and three years later, in Paris, they won a second successive medal. The last time India won back-to-back Olympic medals was in 1968 (bronze) and 1972 editions (bronze).
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi spoke to the Indian Hockey team and congratulated them on the #Bronze medal victory. #OlympicGames #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/OuuaEHVj0y
— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024
The Indians recovered from the heart-wrenching 2-3 defeat to Germany in the semifinal and played positive hockey for most part of the match to come out trumps. Harmanpreet (30th, 33rd minutes) converted two penalty corners after Spain skipper Marc Miralles gave his side the lead against the run of play in the 18th minute from a penalty stroke.
The Indians regrouped themselves and showed their mental strength to claim another podium finish at the world’s biggest sporting spectacle. The 36-year-old Sreejesh came up with some excellent saves to leave his mark in the final game of his illustrious career that spanned 18 years.
A feat that will be cherished for generations to come!
The Indian Hockey team shines bright at the Olympics, bringing home the Bronze Medal! This is even more special because it is their second consecutive Medal at the Olympics.
Their success is a triumph of skill,…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2024
The Indians were the aggressors in the first quarter, dominating the early exchanges with precision, but Spain came back hard after the first 15 minutes. Spain had nine penalty corners as against India’s six of which the latter converted two.
Spain did have better share of possession but India were the more offensive side as they penetrated the Spanish defence regularly in the first 15 minutes.
They walked in with more purpose and intensity in the second quarter and pressed hard on the Indian goal.
Spain took the lead in the 18th minute but Harmanpreet brought his A game to the fore yet again to steer India through.