Paris 2024 Olympics: Hockey competition kicks off on July 27 - schedule and key matches

The men’s and women’s hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 got off to a riveting start at Yves-du-Manoir Hockey Stadium on July 27, with both men's and women's defending champions getting off to a winning start.

Spectators were treated to eight exciting matches at the historic venue, which long ago held numerous competitions as part of the Olympic Games Paris 1924.

Weather conditions proved unpredictable, with the day alternating between rain and overcast skies, but that failed to dampen the excitement around the first day of matches.

In the women’s tournament, defending Olympic champions Netherlands began their medal defence with a 6-2 victory over the host nation France, while their male counterparts emerged victorious by a score of 5-3 in a lively duel with South Africa.

Belgium, Tokyo 2020 Olympic champions in the men’s event, began their tournament with a 2-0 win over Ireland, while defending silver medallists Australia eked out a 1-0 victory over Argentina.

However, it was the men’s match between New Zealand and India that truly brought the house down on Day 1 of Paris 2024.

Game of the day: New Zealand v. India

India arrived in the City of Lights with the goal of upgrading their bronze medal from Tokyo 2020. New Zealand sought to give them a reality check in their first match of Paris 2024 before falling 3-2 to the perennial South Asian powerhouse.

The Black Sticks took the lead early, with Sam Lane scoring off a penalty corner eight minutes into the match. India would rebound in the late second quarter, when Mandeep Singh delivered a penalty corner of his own.

It was then India which took the lead early in the third quarter, with Vivek Sagar Prasad delivering a ranged shot into the New Zealand goal.

The Black Sticks would rally back with a penalty corner goal late in the fourth corner, but to no avail as Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a penalty stroke with less than two minutes to go in the match.

“I think we deserved it,” said Singh. “We are here to win and we are trying to give our best, but New Zealand are also a good team, which defends well and like (to) score. This is (just the) start and we can improve a lot.”

India will face Argentina on July 29, while New Zealand will look for redemption against Belgium on July 28.

Players of the day - July 27

Yibbi Jansen of the Netherlands was the top goalscorer across all matches on 27 July, finding the back of the net four times in their win over France.

“I couldn't wait to start,” said Jansen. “So I'm super happy with the win and with the goals.”

For her part, France’s Lucie Ehrmann didn’t make it easy. The French goalie stopped 16 of 22 shots taken by the Netherlands, posting one of the most impressive goalie performances of the day.

In the men’s tournament, Great Britain’s Ollie Payne, Belgium’s Vincent Vanasch and Australia’s Andrew Charter posted a perfect score as goalkeepers, all posting shutouts.

On the flip side, Germany’s Justus Weigand set himself up as one of the best scores of the day, netting a pair of goals against host nation France.

Hockey results for July 27

Men’s Pool A

Great Britain 4 - 0 Spain

Netherlands 5 - 3 South Africa

Germany 8 - 2 France

Men’s Pool B

Belgium 2 - 0 Ireland

Australia 1 - 0 Argentina

India 3 - 2 New Zealand

Women’s Pool A

Netherlands 6 - 2 France

Women’s Pool B

Argentina 4 - 1 United States of America

What’s next in Paris 2024 hockey tournament? Schedule for July 28

All times local CEST

• 10:00 Women’s Pool A - Belgium v. People’s Republic of China
• 10:30 Women’s Pool A - Germany v. Japan
• 12:45 Women’s Pool B - Australia v. South Africa
• 13:15 Women’s Pool B - Great Britain v. Spain
• 17:00 Men’s Pool A - Germany v. Spain
• 17:30 Men’s Pool B - Belgium v. New Zealand
• 19:45 Men’s Pool A - Netherlands v. France
• 20:15 Men’s Pool A - South Africa v. Great Britain