Paris 2024 hockey: Spain and France get the pulses racing as men’s group-stage action hots up on 30 July
It was a day of close games and spectacular goals in the men’s hockey tournament at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with group-stage matches continuing at the historic Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on 30 July.
Spectators were treated to world-class hockey, as Belgium and Australia met in a replay of the Tokyo 2020 final.
Belgium, nicknamed the Red Lions, lived up to their moniker, decimating the Australian defence and scoring from nearly everywhere on the pitch to win the match 6-2.
However, it was the match between Spain and host nation France that proved to be the most thrilling contest of the day.
Game of the day: Spain vs. France
France hoped to improve their fortunes after a six-goal loss to Germany and four-goal defeat by the Netherlands, while Spain desired to improve their standing in Pool A.
The host nation forced the issue early, with Timothee Clement scoring two goals in the first period. The French mounted a stiff defence of their lead, but a goal from Alvaro Iglesias halved it by the end of the second period.
Spain then tied the game thanks to Rafael Vilallonga early in the third period. However, the match wouldn’t stay tied for long, as Victor Charlet scored on a penalty corner at the end of the third period.
A relentless Spanish attack levelled the game once more in the fourth period, with Pepe Cunill scoring off a penalty corner. The match ended in a tie, with Spain and France both scoring three goals.
“We knew it was an important game for us,” said Clement. “After two games, we had lost two games. So the (hot conditions) were difficult, but we showed our ability today to improve our game.”
Both teams will have a rest day to recover before France plays Great Britain and Spain faces South Africa on 1 August.
France's Gaspard Baumgarten celebrates a goal scored by teammate Victor Charlet
Players of the day
Belgium’s Tom Boon was the standout scorer of the day. He netted two penalty corners and a field goal to score a hat-trick against Australia.
Harmanpreet Singh, India’s team captain, displayed his leadership qualities on pitch, scoring both the team’s goals in their 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.
Germany’s Gonzalo Peillat and Great Britain’s Lee Morton were also dangerously accurate, scoring two out of three shots on goal to lead their teams to victory on 30 July.
“I don’t score many,” said Morton. “It’s my first Olympic goal - and I get to score two. I was chatting with family before and they all said, ‘We’re feeling a goal today’. So maybe if we keep saying that every game, we will keep it going.”
India’s Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran and Argentina’s Tomas Santiago were the only goalies with a perfect record of saves on the day. Both prevented five shots from going into their team’s goal, sealing shut-out victories for India and Argentina.
Hockey results for July 30
Men’s Pool A
Spain 3 - 3 France
Great Britain 2 - 2 Netherlands
South Africa 1 - 5 Germany
Men’s Pool B
Ireland 0 - 2 India
Argentina 2 - 0 New Zealand
Australia 2 - 6 Belgium
What’s next in Paris 2024 hockey tournament? Schedule for July 31
All times local CET
- Women’s Pool B - Argentina vs. Spain, 10 a.m.
- Women’s Pool B - South Africa vs. Great Britain, 10.30 a.m.
- Women’s Pool A - France vs. Germany, 12.45 p.m.
- Women’s Pool B - Australia vs. United States, 1.15 p.m.
- Women’s Pool A - Belgium vs. Japan, 5 p.m.
- Men’s Pool A - Germany vs. Netherlands, 5.15 p.m.
- Men’s Pool A - Spain vs. South Africa, 7.45 p.m.
- Women’s Pool A - Netherlands vs. People’s Republic of China, 8.15 p.m.