Paris 2024 Olympics hockey, Australia men’s schedule: Kookaburras eye second gold medal
The Australian men’s hockey team will start its Paris 2024 Olympics campaign from July 27.
All the Paris 2024 men’s hockey tournament matches will be held at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Paris.
Field hockey was introduced at the Olympics in 1908 and has been a part of the quadrennial event in every edition, besides 1912 and 1924. India have won the most medals in the men’s hockey tournament at the Olympics - 12, including eight golds.
Besides India, the Kookaburras are the only other team with a double-digit medal haul - 10 podiums from 16 appearances. However, they have only one gold medal - at Athens 2004 - to go with four silver medals and five bronze medals.
From Barcelona 1992 to London 2012, the Kookaburras became the only Australian team, in any sport, to win straight Olympic medals.
In the last edition at Tokyo 2020, three-time world champions came agonisingly close to bagging a second gold medal but lost to Belgium in the final in a penalty shootout.
Tom Wickham’s goal dragged the final into a shootout after Florent van Aubel opened the scoring in the third quarter for Belgium. Australia lost 3-2 on penalties and settled for a silver.
The Kookaburras’ quest for a second Olympic gold will begin against Rio 2016 champions Argentina on July 27 in Pool B. Reigning champions Belgium, India, Ireland and neighbours New Zealand are the other teams drawn in the group.
A repeat of the Tokyo 2020 final will take place on July 31 when the Aussies lock horns against Belgium. They will clash against eight-time gold medallists India on August 2.
Paris 2024 Olympics men’s hockey teams
Teams in each of the two pools will face each other in a single-headed round-robin format with the top four making the quarter-finals.
The knockout matches will commence from August 4. The men’s event will culminate on August 8 with the bronze and gold medal matches.
Aran Zalewski will lead the Kookaburras at this year’s Summer Games while Eddie Ockenden is set to become the first Australian hockey player to compete at five different Olympics. Ockenden is also one of Australia’s two flag-bearers for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony.
The Australian men’s hockey team will be coming into Paris 2024 on a high, having won the FIH Pro League 2023-24 title.
Kookaburras Paris 2024 Olympics schedule
Live start times, all in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
Kookaburras Paris 2024 Olympics team
The Australian men’s hockey team has five three-time Olympians and seven from the Tokyo campaign. Eddie Ockenden is set to become the most decorated hockey player in Australian history, playing at his fifth Games.
Goalkeeper: Andrew Charter
Defenders: Joshua Beltz, Matthew Dawson, Jake Harvie, Jeremy Hayward, Edward Ockenden, Corey Weyer
Midfielders: Flynn Oglivie, Lachlan Sharp, Jacob Whetton, Aran Zalewski (captain)
Forwards/Strikers: Tim Brand, Thomas Craig, Blake Glovers, Tom Wickham, Ky Willott
Reserves: Johan Durst, Nathan Ephraums, Tim Howard
Where to watch Paris 2024 Olympics hockey live in Australia
Live streaming of the Paris 2024 Olympics hockey matches will be available on 9Now and Stan. All the Kookaburras’ Paris 2024 hockey matches will be broadcast live on the Network Nine TV channels in Australia.