India and Pakistan, owing to their previously combined country borders, have a long-standing rivalry themselves. In 1960, despite a 30-0 Olympic record and 197-8 scoring record, India lost to Pakistan 0-1 in the gold medal game. Indians, long-standing dominators of the sport, considered the loss to the newly formed Muslim state of Pakistan a national tragedy. Unfortunately for the Indians, they've had enough repeat performances to get used to it. Currently, while they have their work cut out for them, India is looking for a comeback.
In addition to India and Pakistan, Argentina also will contend in pool A, as will Spain, Germany and host country United States. The U.S. men's team is confident about its ability to compete at the Olympic level after a bronze medal finish at the 1995 Pan American Games, though they have only qualified for Olympic competition in 1932, 1984 and 1996 based on their host country status.
The third-ranked Australians, winners of the 1st Oceania Cup, lead the way in pool B over Great Britain, Malaysia, Korea, South Africa and the Netherlands. Nevertheless, the Netherlands was a strong force at the World Cup, and was one of the top five countries at the Men's Qualifying Tournament in Barcelona. Having last won an Olympic medal in 1952, the Netherlands hopes to build upon its momentum from the World Cup to earn a top spot in 1996.
Winner of the 12th Asian Games, Korea placed a disappointing eighth at the World Cup. In spite of winning just one game during pool play, Korea fought its way into a draw with Germany.
South Africa joins the group of prestigious Olympic teams by winning the Sixth All-African Games. As promising newcomers, the country will have the zeal, but will it have what it takes to win? South Africa just competed in its first World Cup, during which it remained unbeaten after four games, including its first game against top-ranked Germany, although all games were draws.
Noticeably absent from the Games in Atlanta are the teams from Eastern Europe, who for the first time (excluding any boycotts) didn't qualify. The Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia have each won medals as recently as 1980.
*Top five finishers.
This is Argentina's third consecutive Olympic Games. Argentina won the 12th Pan American Games with an impressive 43 3 goal count to qualify. Finishing on top in pool play, Argentina finished the tournament unbeaten in eight matches. The team finished a disappointing seventh at the 8th World Cup, although Fernando FERRARA scored eight goals during the tournament to place him second in leading goal scorers along with players from Pakistan and Germany.
Australia (AUS)
Being a semifinalist at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Games, Australia earned its 11th consecutive invite to the Olympic Games. Watch linchpin Mark HAGER, who was injured in 1992, give the performance to put them over the top. At the 8th World Cup in Sydney, Australia finished pool play with just one loss to tournament winner Pakistan by 2 1. The team defeated Germany by a score of 5 2 for the bronze medal.
Germany (GER)
Germany lost a disappointing final to Pakistan at the Champions Trophy to finish second. Christopher REITZ, who competed on the 1992 Olympic gold medalist team, will help his team to repeat for the medal. Winning almost 80 percent of its Olympic Games, Germany has 13 wins and just 3 losses along with one draw during Olympic tournaments. Expert fullback Carsten FISCHER was pulled out of retirement last year to help them keep or improve upon that percentage.
Great Britain (GBR)
Great Britain has won nine total medals during Olympic competition and will look to regain the gold medal it lost in 1992 to Germany. While the Brits are known for perpetuating the sport's popularity throughout the world and started strong in Olympic competition, they were quickly overtaken by former subjects India and Pakistan, and have only reemerged since the 1980s, winning a bronze medal in 1984 and a gold in 1988.
India (IND)
After finishing a disappointing fifth at the World Cup held in Sydney, India strives to regain its international strength during the 1996 Olympic Games. In spite of winning the most gold medals during Olympic competition, India hasn't earned top honors since 1980 when it defeated Spain. The men who will get them there include Mukesh KUMAR, Dhanraj PILLAY and A.B. SUBBIAH (goalkeeper) -- all on the 1992 Olympic team -- plus newcomers Sanjeev KUMAR and captain Pargat SINGH.
Korea (KOR)
As the surprise winner of the Asian Games, Korea plays in only its second Olympic Games. During the 1988 Games, Korea finished 10th. Korea more recently placed eighth in the World Cup in Sydney after losing to Argentinian on penalty strokes, 5 3.
Malaysia (MAS)
Competing in its sixth Olympic tournament, Malaysia finished 9th in 1992. Finishing in the top five at the Qualifying Tournament, Malaysia earned a place in Atlanta. A recent controversial tie against India would make for a tension-filled Olympic rematch.
Netherlands (NED)
As one of the top five finishers at the Qualifying Tournament, the Netherlands makes its 12th Olympic appearance. Although the gold medal has eluded the Dutch, look for the team to improve upon its 1988 third-place finish. After placing second at the 8th World Cup, the Netherlands regained the momentum it needs heading into the Olympic Games. Returning for his third Olympic appearance, Taco van den HONERT scored the most goals during the World Cup with 11. Teammate Flori Jan BOVELANDER also tops the list in goals. Penalty corners are his expertise.
Pakistan (PAK)
Pakistan won the 8th World Cup in Sydney its record fourth World Cup championship and revenged its 1990 loss to Netherlands by winning on penalty strokes after a 1-1 tie. 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. More recently, Pakistan regained the Champions Trophy for the first time since 1980. Pakistan defeated top ranked Germany 7 6 on penalty strokes.
South Africa (RSA)
Participating in its first Olympic hockey tournament, South Africa defeated Egypt to win its place at the Sixth All-African Games. Barcelona was the first time in 32 years the country made an Olympic appearance. The IOC had prohibited the country from participating due to their policy of apartheid, but removed the ban in 1991, anticipating the policy's elimination.
Spain (ESP)
As one of the top five finishers at the Qualifying Tournament, Spain makes its 11th Olympic appearance after finishing 5th in 1992. The Spanish have a silver and bronze under their belts for men and a gold for women, who are appearing for only the second time.
United States of America (USA)
Winning the bronze medal for the third consecutive time, the United States came from behind to defeat Cuba 3 2 during the 12th Pan American Games. Leading the team with 13 total goals, Marq MELLOR converted a goal to tie the game before Paul LEWIS made the game winning goal. The United States looks for its first Olympic medal since 1932 when it won the bronze. In its last Olympic appearance, the United States finished 12th in 1984.
Showing some international strength, the U.S. women's team placed third at the 8th World Cup under the leadership of captain Barbara Marois. A four-time USFHA Female Athlete of the Year, Marois was first selected to the national senior squad in 1986 and has led the team to two silver medals and one bronze medal at the Pan American Games, including a silver at the 1995 Pan American Games. Experts characterize the team's play as competitively athletic, though "technically raw."
No matter how driven, the U.S. will be hard pressed to surpass world champion Australia. Expect the Australian women to provide the rest of the field with tough competition through a combination of power and speed combined with finesse and ball control. During the Champions Trophy held in September, Korea fought a tough match against Australia during the finals only to lose on penalty strokes the only points allowed by Korea during the tournament. Although seeming to have lost some of its edge after a successful decade in the 1980s, Korea played a fast, full-action game against the champ. The team narrowly missed a bronze in Barcelona and sorely wants to set the record straight in 1996.
When Spain tied with the Netherlands during the 4th Women's European Cup with the help of player of the tournament Natalia DORADO, it beat the tough Dutch team for the first time in 27 matches. After regulation time ended, the two teams were tied at 2-2. During the shoot-out, the Netherlands proved its superior penalty stroke talent by winning 4 1, showing why its record has been consistently on the upswing since its 1990 World Cup win.
Great Britain, the sport's founding country, is not to be upstaged. The country will strive to improve upon its bronze medal in the 1992 Games. Part of the third-place team, Jane SIXSMITH will try to make her third Olympic Games the best for her and her country.
The women's tournament doesn't exhibit the uneven caliber of the men's teams, promising tight finishes and fantastic play. Until the finals, the winner could be anybody's guess.
Making its second Olympic appearance, Argentina won the Pan American games by defeating the United States 3 2. Having qualified by being one of the top five finishers at the Qualifying Tournament, Argentina lost just ?? games to place ?? in that tournament held in South Africa. Argentina placed a strong second at the World Cup, losing to Australia in the final by a score of 2 0.
Australia (AUS)
Runner-up at the World Cup held in 1990, Australia won its first world cup championship in 1994 by defeating Argentina in the final game 2-0. Australia won its only gold medal in Seoul in 1988, and will be looking to repeat its 1988 success.
Germany (GER)
After defeating England 1 0, Germany placed third at the 1995 European Cup. Nadine ERNSTING-KRIENKE scored nine total goals to tie for second for the most goals scored during the European championships. She is playing in her second Olympic Games having been apart of the silver medal team of 1992.
Great Britain (GBR)
Coming off its most successful Olympic Games, Great Britain hopes to improve upon its third-place finish at the 1992 Games in Barcelona. Competing in its third consecutive Olympic Games, Great Britain earned its spot by finishing 2nd at the Qualifying Tournament.
Korea (KOR)
Competing in its third consecutive Olympic Games, Korea won a silver medal during the 1988 Games in Seoul and took a disappointing fourth in 1992. With a winning percentage of just 55 percent, Korea hopes to use its speed and stamina to overpowers its opponents during these Games.
Netherlands (NED)
Winning the most Olympic medals, the Netherlands has won both a gold and bronze medal. During the 1984 Games, the Netherlands dominated the tournament and defeated West Germany for the coveted title. In the next Olympic Games, the Netherlands slipped slightly, earning the bronze after losing to Australia in the semifinals. After a disappointing tournament during 1992, the Netherlands will use its most recent win at the 1995 European Cup to catapult themselves into medal contention. During the 1995 European Cup, Wietske de RUTLER tied for second lead scorer with nine total goals.
Spain (ESP)
After a disappointing loss at the 1995 European Cup, Spain looks to retain its gold medal the team won in 1992. The teams only two losses during the European championship came from the tournament winners the Netherlands. In the final game, Spain held its opponent to a 2-2 draw before losing 4-1 in penalty strokes.
United States of America (USA)
Currently ranked third in the world, the United States looks to earn its second Olympic medal after missing the 1992 Games. The United States' first medal came in 1984 when it defeated Australia for the bronze. More recently, the United States won the silver medal at the Pan American Games for the second time in its last three attempts. Perhaps in one of its most rewarding tournaments, the United States claimed the bronze medal at the 8th World Cup with a 2-1 victory over the 1992 Olympic silver medalist, Germany.
This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Jennifer Knight and Dianna Drayson.
| An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games. |