ACOG - News - IBM

(30 July 1996; Day 11)

Looking Ahead to Men's and Women's Hockey Medal Matches

So it has come down to this. Four teams alive for medals in men's hockey, and four teams battling for a piece of Olympic history on the women's side. After 10 days of grueling action, preliminary matches have ended. On Wednesday, the men's semifinals begin. Women's medal play is set to begin on Thursday. The following night, the men's bronze and gold medal matches are scheduled.

Here's a preview of the games that will decide the men's and women's medalists in Atlanta.

Women's Bronze Medal, Great Britain vs. the Netherlands: When these two teams last met, they tied 1-1. Even though they played on 21 July, the harsh feelings resulting from the intense battle are still fresh in the players' minds.

"We didn't play particularly well against the Dutch," said Great Britain's Mandy DAVIES. "They played quite negatively. I don't think they like playing us."

Women's Gold Medal, Australia vs. Korea: So far in the 1996 tournament, no one has figured out a way to derail the high-scoring Aussies. But Korea came the closest in a 3-3 tie on 25 July, the only non-win for the Aussies during the tournament. The match will be a battle of which team can control the other's offense. Both like to push the ball down the field and control the tempo. Goalkeeping will be a key. Korea's YOU Jae-Sook enters the game on a high note after blanking Argentina with seven saves. Australia has allowed just four goals in seven games and outscored its opponents 24-4.

Men's Semifinal #1, Spain vs. Australia: Spain is the Cinderella story of the 1996 Olympic Games. No one expected the Spaniards to upset defending gold medalist Germany in their first match, and certainly no one expected them to go undefeated in the pool until the final game (a 3-1 loss to India). Goalkeeper Ramon JURFRESA has been a steady influence on the Spanish quest to bring home the gold medal. Javier ARNAU is tied for the tournament lead in scoring with five goals. Australia settled for a tie in its first game, narrowly beat Korea in the second and was edged by the Netherlands in the third. Since that 1-1-1 start, the Aussies have outscored the opposition 7-1 during a two-game winning streak. Australia's Baeden CHOPPY scored three times against Malaysia and is always a threat.

Men's Semifinal #2, Germany vs. the Netherlands: After the loss to Spain and a tie against India, Germany has reeled off three straight wins. The Germans, winners of the gold medal in Barcelona, have an experienced squad which includes Volker FRIED and Charles FISCHER, each of whom has logged more than 250 international appearances. The Netherlands finished pool play undefeated at 4-0-1. Taco VAN DEN HONERT, who led World Cup scoring with 11 goals, started the tournament quietly, but has scored four goals in his last three outings.

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


Return to Olympic News Menu

Select another day:
Pre July 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 August 1 2 3 4 Post


Olympic Factoid
Pin trading was one of the most popular Olympic sports, with more than 1.2 million pins changing hands during the Games in the Coca Cola Pin Trading Center at Centennial Olympic Park.