The fourteenth and final day of a magnificent hockey competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 takes place on Friday (9 August), where the winners of the gold, silver and bronze medals will all be revealed at the Yves-du-Manoir Hockey Stadium.
At 14:00 CEST, Argentina will be aiming to finish their competition on a high when they take on Belgium in the bronze medal match. The game that will decide who takes home the gold medal takes place at 20:00, as hot favourites the Netherlands aim to successfully defend the Olympic title they won at Tokyo 2020 against China.
We take a quick look at the two medal matches in the women’s competition.
Argentina v Belgium – 14:00 CEST
Argentina have the chance to win a sixth Olympic medal in the last seven Olympics, with their only failure to secure a place on the podium coming at Rio 2016, where they finished seventh. Although they have never won gold, their haul of three silvers and two bronzes since Sydney 2000 provides a reminder on just how consistent Las Leonas are at this level.
Standing in Argentina’s way are Belgium, a team on the verge of making history. The Red Panthers have only appeared on the Olympic stage once before Paris 2024, finishing 11th at London 2012. While already their greatest Olympic achievement, a fourth place finish would not satisfy a hugely ambitious group of players who hold themselves to the highest standards.
Coach comments
Fernando Ferrara (ARG), after losing their semi-final against the Netherlands: “Now we have to rest, and then analyse whichever opponent it is. But mostly, try to let this match go as soon as possible. We have to regret it today but from tomorrow have our (heads) on the next match, recovering and focusing on how to approach it.”
Raoul Ehren (BEL), after losing their semi-final against China: “Tonight it will be silent on the bus and there will be some tears, I think. Tomorrow the tears will dry and we will recover, and we will make a plan to beat Argentina. And I’m sure that we will go for that on Friday afternoon. So we will be ready.”
Netherlands v China – 20:00 CEST
The gold medal game between the Netherlands and China is a replay of the Beijing 2008 final, a match which the Oranje won 2-0. The Netherlands – the reigning Olympic, World, European and FIH Hockey Pro League champions – proved simply too strong for semi-final opponents Argentina, claiming a 3-0 triumph over their fierce rivals to reach the Olympic final for the sixth successive Games. A win against China on Friday would be their fifth Olympic title overall, and a fourth gold medal in the last five Olympic Games. They have been in imperious form, and in competition top scorer Yibbi Yansen they have a player who has registered eight goals in seven matches, all from penalty corners.
While it is clear that the Netherlands will take some stopping here in Paris, China have proven time and time again that they can upset the odds. Despite finishing fourth in Pool A, China claimed a stunning quarter-final victory over Pool B winners Australia before showing huge character to defeat semi-final opponents Belgium in a dramatic shoot-out. They also have a tactical mastermind on their side in the shape of head coach Alyson Annan, who guided the Netherlands to Olympic gold in Tokyo. Annan will have taken plenty of notes from China’s 3-0 pool defeat at the hands of the Oranje, ensuring that her team will be more than ready for the challenge facing them.
Player perspectives
Laura Nunnink (NED), before learning who they would face in the final: “We’re going to watch the game (the other semi-final) and see who it’s going to be. We have beaten them both before (in this tournament) but it’s a different game. I’m just really excited to be in the final.”
Ou Zixia (CHN): “Our aim is definitely to go for gold. We must work hard. We have secured a medal but we are gunning for gold. I know that our opponents are extremely strong but that won’t stop us from dreaming of gold.”
Medal Matches – Friday 9 August 2024 (all times CEST)
14:00: Bronze medal match
20:00: Gold medal match
The hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 take place from Saturday 27 July to Friday 9 August. Both the men’s and women’s competitions feature 12 teams, split into two pools of six ahead of quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches. For more information about the hockey competitions at Paris 2024, visit Olympics.Hockey.
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