Paris 2024 hockey: Netherlands, Germany reign supreme in men’s Olympic semi-finals

It was a day of big goals, and bigger celebrations, as two teams punched their tickets to the grand finale of men’s hockey at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Tuesday, 6 August.

Yves-du-Manoir Stadium was filled to capacity as the Netherlands, Spain, Germany and India vied for the two spots in Thursday's gold-medal match.

The first semi-final saw the Netherlands face Spain in a winner-take-all showdown for the right to play for gold.

The men in orange emerged victorious, winning 4-0 in dominant fashion. It was a difficult loss for the Spanish team, which will need to rebound from the setback if they want to join the Netherlands on the podium by winning the bronze-medal match, also slated for Thursday.

The other semi-final saw an even more bitter loss for India, whose gold-medal dreams slipped away in the final minutes against Germany, who prevailed 3-2.

Game of the Day: Germany vs. India

India hadn’t played in a hockey gold medal match since the Olympic Games Moscow 1980. They wanted nothing more than to end that run with a win over Germany on Tuesday.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh got his team off to an ideal start, scoring a penalty corner in the first period to give India the lead.

But India’s defence would falter in the second period, giving away two penalty corners and one penalty stroke. Gonzalo Peillat converted the first penalty corner for Germany while Christopher Ruehr made the most of the penalty stroke.

Down 2-1 to Germany, India mounted a ferocious counterattack on the German goal. After numerous failed attempts, Sukhjeet Singh found the back of the net to tie the game on a penalty corner.

It was all to play for in the fourth period, as both teams pressed the attack. Germany's Marco Miltkau ultimately found the back of the net in the 54th minute, scoring the decisive goal and sending his team on to the gold-medal final.

“It just feels incredible,” said Miltkau. “Amazing crowd, but from both sides, India and Germany.

“First time playing Olympics, it's [an] amazing feeling. And now, even better playing the final."

Germany will face the Netherlands for the gold medal on Thursday, 8 August.

Players of the day: 6 August

The Netherlands’ Jip Jannsen and Germany’s Ruehr both delivered clutch performances from the striking circle, netting a penalty stroke each.

“I'm training a lot on penalty strokes, of course, because it can be a decisive moment in the game,” said Jannsen. “I'm very happy to help the team out today and that they put me in a position to score.”

Dutch goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak was also in fine form, denying seven shots on goal by the Spanish offence.

His efforts warranted a shoutout from Dutch coach Jeroen Delmee. “I don't think we created too many opportunities, to be honest, but we were just very effective today, and our goalie did a great job stopping some [penalty corners] to make sure that they couldn't fight their way back into the game," said Delmee.

While India didn’t win their semi-final, it was a good day for Singh, who converted on his only penalty corner. Indian fans will hope his goal gives the team more confidence heading into Thursday's bronze-medal match against Spain.

Hockey results for 6 August

Men’s Semi-finals

Netherlands 4 - 0 Spain

Germany 3 - 2 India

What’s next in Paris 2024 hockey tournament? Schedule for 7 August

All times local CEST

• 14:00 Women’s Semi-final - Netherlands vs. Argentina
• 19:00 Women’s Semi-final - Belgium vs. People’s Republic of China