ACOG - News - IBM

(19 July, 1996)

Olympic Hockey Competition Begins Saturday

Who's the favorite to medal in men's and women's hockey? That depends on who you ask. India, Pakistan, Germany and Australia are certainly teams to keep an eye on in the men's bracket, while Australia, Spain, Korea and the United States are expected to contend for women's honors. While there is no guarantee on which team will win the gold medal, one thing is for sure ... hockey play in the XXVI Olympiad begins Saturday at Morris Brown College and Clark Atlanta University.

Here's a preview of the men's games scheduled for the first day of competition:

ESP vs. GER -- The first men's hockey match of the 1996 Olympic Games figures to be one of the key games played in Pool A. With two medal showings in the last two Olympic Games (silver in 1988 and gold in 1992), Germany is expected to contend for medal honors again in Atlanta. Spain will be making its 11th Olympic appearance after landing a spot as one of the top five finishers in the Qualifying Tournament.

PAK vs. USA -- One of the Olympic men's hockey "haves" faces one of the "have-nots" during first-day competition at Clark Atlanta University Stadium. Pakistan, one of the clear favorites to win a medal at this year's Olympic Games, recently won its eighth World Cup to qualify for the 1996 Games. Captain Shahbaz AHMAD, named player of the tournament at the World Cup, returns to the Olympic Games after playing on the bronze medal team in Barcelona four years ago. Despite having the home-field advantage, the United States is considered a long shot for the medal stand. The Americans have not claimed a medal since winning the bronze in a three-team field in 1932.

ARG vs. IND -- In the final men's hockey match of the opening day of the 1996 Olympic Games, one country will be looking for respect while the other will be looking for redemption. Argentina enters play in Atlanta on the heels of a Pan American Games championship. Using a 43-3 goal count to win the tournament, Argentina finished unbeaten in eight matches. Opponents will have to keep an eye on Fernando FERRARA, who scored eight goals during the Pan American tournament to finish among the leading goal scorers. Meanwhile, India enters competition after finishing a disappointing fifth at the World Cup. India, a long-standing dominator which has won more gold medals than any other country in Olympic Games history, hasn't won a gold medal since 1980, but is considered one of the favorites to advance from Pool A.

Here's a preview of the women's games scheduled for the first day of competition:

NED vs. USA -- Can the United States continue a recent historical trend in women's hockey? A big part of that answer should come in the opening game of the 1996 Olympic competition at Morris Brown College. Home teams from Spain in 1992 and South Korea in 1988 medaled contrary to expectations when their respective countries hosted the Olympic Games. The Americans hope history repeats itself in 1996, and will be looking for leadership from goalie Patti SHEA, who came out of retirement despite 13 operations on her right knee. The Netherlands captured a gold at the last Olympic Games in America (1984 in Los Angeles) and took the bronze in the 1988 Games. After a disappointing tournament in 1992, the Netherlands will use its most recent win at the 1995 European Cup to catapult themselves into medal contention.

ESP vs. AUS -- A combination of power and speed is expected to make Australia one of the women's hockey forces to be reckoned with at the 1996 Olympic Games. The Aussies' first test comes against Spain on the opening day of competition. Australia recently won the World Cup, edging world power Korea on penalty strokes, which were the only points allowed by the Koreans during the tournament. Spain is the reigning Olympic champion, winning a gold medal on its home turf in Barcelona in 1992, and isn't expected to give up the gold without a battle.

ARG vs. GER -- Argentina and Germany will open the evening session of the 1996 Olympic Games women's hockey competition in Atlanta. Argentina makes just its second Olympic appearance after winning the Pan American Games by defeating a strong United States team. Further proof of Argentina's strength can be seen from a second-place finish at the World Cup competition. Germany placed third at the 1995 European Cup and will be led by Nadine ERNSTING-KRIENKE, who scored nine goals to place among the scoring leaders at the European competition. She's playing in her second Olympic Games after playing a role in Germany's silver-medal win in 1992.

GBR vs. KOR -- It will be a clash of old and new when Great Britain and Korea square off in the final match of the opening day of the 1996 Olympic Games women's hockey competition. Great Britain, the founder of the game, is coming off its best Olympic showing after winning the bronze in Barcelona. Great Britain's Jane SIXSMITH will be competing in her third consecutive Olympic Games. Korea boasts a winning percentage of 55, and hopes to use its speed and stamina to overpower Great Britain.

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



Olympic Factoid
More tickets were sold to the competitions of the 1996 Games than to any other Olympic Games or sports event in history. The 8.6 million ticket sales figures topped sales to the Los Angeles and Barcelona Games combined.