ACOG - News - IBM

(2 August 1996; Day 14)

Quick Dutch Goals Spell End for Men's Hockey Cinderella

In the span of 3 minutes, the clock struck midnight for the Cinderella of this year's Olympic Games men's hockey tournament.

Spanish forward Javier ARNAU stated on Thursday night, "We beat Germany. We beat Pakistan. Now we want to beat the Netherlands. That way no one can say anything about us not being the best team in the world."

For the majority of the gold-medal match at Morris Brown College on Friday night, Spain, which had been given virtually no chance of winning a medal before the tournament began, appeared to be the better team. Even though the Netherlands had the more experienced squad, it seemed frustrated by missed scoring chances. Dutch midfielder Stephan VEEN became so enraged that he threw his stick at one point in the second half after a teammate had missed on what looked to be an open net.

But on this typical Southern night when the air was so humid that it could be seen hanging over the stadium like a spectre, it was the Dutch that kept their cool. Even when Victor PUJOL scored on a field goal in the 45th minute to give Spain a 1-0 lead, the Dutch stuck to their offensive plan of trying to get behind their aggressive Spanish opponents.

Their plan eventually worked. A penalty corner was called in the 52nd minute, and Floris Jan BOVELANDER sent home the game-tying goal under Ramon JUFRESA, the outstretched Spanish goalkeeper who had performed so admirably throughout the tournament. A mere 3:00 later, BOVELANDER rifled home almost an instant replay of his first goal, giving the Dutch the lead for good at 2-1.

Sensing an urgency, the Spanish attacked with renewed fervor, which only left them more vulnerable to the offensive plan of the Netherlands. Again the Dutch outran the Spanish defense. A penalty corner was called, and Bram LOMANS fired the third Dutch goal of the night into the net.

The win gives the Dutch their first-ever gold medal after finishing second on two occasions and third on three others, including the 1988 Olympic Games. Spain equalled its best Olympic finish, tying the silver medal it earned in Moscow in 1980.

This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Kevin Henry.


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Olympic Factoid
The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July).