Paris 2024 Olympics: Belgium lay down a marker with two wins on day two of hockey 

With day two of the Olympic hockey tournament, Belgium impressed on both the men’s and women’s side at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes on Sunday, 28 July.

The Belgian women beat the People’s Republic of China 2-1. Ambre Ballenghien scored the team's first goal.

"It was a lot of stress but I think we stayed really calm. We showed character, we showed confidence in ourselves and we got the second goal. So it was really good," she said after the game.

Meanwhile, the Belgian men's team won 2-1 over New Zealand, with Alexander Hendrickx scoring one goal from three shots.

Game of the day: Spain wins 2-1 over Great Britain

At Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Team GB’s women’s team eliminated Spain. Finding a pool play win over the British team was important for the Spanish squad.

Spain were particularly proud of their defence, with goalkeeper Clara Perez stopping three out of four shots.

"We knew from the beginning that it was going to be tough, since it is the Olympic Games and it was the first match. I think we knew really well what we had to do,” said Spain’s Lola Riera. "These matches are won mainly on defence. We are showing that we create a lot of danger with every ball we catch on the attack."

Player of the day: Jonas de Geus, Netherlands

Playing two games in two days was not easy, nor was finding a win in front of France’s raucous crowds. But Dutch star Jonas de Geus was able to tune out the noise and fatigue – if he even had any! – and scored just as the third quarter started. He also scored in Saturday's 5-3 win over South Africa. He was part of the Dutch team that took sixth at Tokyo 2020 and are pushing for a better result in Paris.

Hockey results for 28 July:

Men’s Pool A:

Spain 2, Germany 0
Netherlands 4, France 0

Men’s Pool B:

Belgium 2, New Zealand 1
South Africa 2, Great Britain 2

Women’s Pool A:

Belgium 2, People’s Republic of China 1
Germany 2, Japan 0

Women’s Pool B:

Australia 2, South Africa 1
Spain 2, Great Britain 1

What’s next in Paris 2024 hockey tournament? Schedule for 29 July:

All times CET

• Men’s pool B: Ireland vs. Australia, 10 a.m.
• Women’s pool B: Japan vs. China, 10.30 a.m.
• Men’s pool B: India vs. Argentina, 12.45 p.m.
• Women’s pool B: Spain vs. USA, 1.15 p.m.
• Women’s pool B: Great Britain vs. Australia, 5 p.m
• Women’s pool B: South Africa vs. Argentina, 5.30 p.m.
• Women’s pool A: Germany vs. Netherlands, 7.45 p.m.
• Women’s pool A: France vs. Belgium, 8.15 p.m.