In a gripping finish at the Paris Olympics 2024, the Indian men’s hockey team clinched the bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over Spain. The triumph comes after intense matches, including a narrow 3-2 defeat in the semifinals, which left the team and their supporters heartbroken.
India beat Spain for a bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024
On Thursday (August 8), India found themselves trailing 1-0 against Spain. Despite the early setback, the team demonstrated extraordinary resilience and tactical prowess. The turning point of the match came when Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice within three minutes—first in the 30th minute and again in the 33rd minute—securing a lead that Spain could not overcome. Spain launched several attacks and won numerous penalties, but PR Shreejesh, playing his final game for India, stood firm and made crucial saves to maintain the lead.
India’s cricketing legends praise the hockey team
The cricketing fraternity was effusive in its praises for the hockey team’s remarkable performance. Legends like Gautam Gambhir, Anil Kumble, Virender Sehwag, etc. congratulated the Indian hockey team
Former Indian cricketer Gambhir, who is also the head coach of the Indian hockey team, took to social media to express his pride and admiration. In a heartfelt tweet, Gambhir described hockey as “an emotion” and extended his congratulations to Shreejesh for his memorable farewell performance.
“Hockey is an emotion” जय हिंद Perfect farewell to our champion #Shreejesh! Brilliant Bronze“, Gambhir wrote in his caption.
“Hockey is an emotion” जय हिन्द! 🇮🇳 Perfect farewell to our champion #Shreejesh! Brilliant Bronze 🥉 pic.twitter.com/ejDzVNEl6F
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 8, 2024
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Sehwag, another former cricketer, congratulated the Indian hockey team for their incredible victory over Spain and for achieving back-to-back bronze medals. He commended the team’s spirit and resilience throughout the tournament.
“Brilliant effort from the boys to beat spain and a second consecutive Olympic bronze for our boys. Congratulations @TheHockeyIndia. #ParisOlympics2024″ Sehwag tweeted.
Brilliant effort from the boys to beat Spain and a second consecutive Olympic bronze for our boys. Congratulations @TheHockeyIndia . #ParisOlympics2024 pic.twitter.com/O66eymgNM7
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 8, 2024
Kumble, the legendary Indian spinner, also voiced his admiration. Kumble praised the team for their comeback after a tough start and lauded Harmanpreet for his exceptional leadership and critical goals. He expressed his pride in the team’s ability to bounce back and secure the bronze.
“Absolutely stunning play by the Indian Hockey team to fight back and get the game after trailing 1-0 in the first quarter! @13harmanpreet has led the team by example! Big Congratulations @TheHockeyIndiaon winning the Bronze medal!” Kumble on X.
Absolutely stunning play by the Indian Hockey team to fight back and get the game after trailing 1-0 in the first-quarter! @13harmanpreet has led the team by example! Big congratulations @TheHockeyIndia on winning the Bronze medal!#Olympics
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 8, 2024
India’s historic 13th Olympic hockey medal
This bronze medal marks India’s 13th Olympic medal in men’s hockey, and it is particularly significant as it represents back-to-back medals in hockey for the first time since the 1972 Munich Games. The achievement has been met with widespread celebration across the sporting community, including from the world of cricket.
Also READ: Cricketing world reacts in elation as Neeraj Chopra secures silver for India at Paris Olympics 2024
Here are some more reactions:
Many congratulations to the Indian men’s hockey team on securing a second consecutive Olympic Bronze medal . Outstanding effort from our boys. #Paris2024Olympics @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/yPebk7BnCF
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 8, 2024
Much deserving. A bronze. Fantastic play.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 8, 2024
Mubarkaa @TheHockeyIndia well done Shero ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sKHvJXOKGW
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 8, 2024
𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐙𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐋 no.4🥉
HOCKEY: India BEAT Spain 2-1 🇮🇳🇮🇳
𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢! A perfect farewell for the “Great Wall of India” Sreejesh, signing off on a terrific career between the sticks with another Olympic Bronze medal added to his… pic.twitter.com/tFbdhqMtqO
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) August 8, 2024
Outstanding display by Team India and a much deserved medal for our boys.@TheHockeyIndia #Paris2024Olympics pic.twitter.com/j4ydkxmGfF
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 8, 2024
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