Netherlands makes history with double gold in hockey at Paris 2024.
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris concluded on August 9th, delivering a remarkable display of hockey excellence and producing some of the most thrilling moments in the sport’s history. This edition of the Olympics witnessed the Netherlands making history by securing double gold medals in both the men’s and women’s hockey tournaments. It was the first time a nation achieved such a feat, underscoring the Netherlands’ dominance and deep-rooted strength in the sport.
The men’s tournament concluded with the Netherlands at the top of the podium, a remarkable achievement for a team that began the tournament as the top-ranked side. Despite a challenging start that saw the Dutch drop to third place in the pool stage due to a draw against Great Britain and a loss to Germany, they showed resilience and skill by securing four consecutive victories to clinch the gold medal. This triumphant comeback reaffirms their status as the premier team in men’s hockey, with their final ranking reflecting their exceptional performance throughout the competition.
Germany, who entered the tournament ranked fifth, demonstrated their tournament prowess with a series of impressive wins over formidable opponents like the Netherlands, Great Britain, Argentina, and India. Their journey to the silver medal was marked by strategic play and high-quality hockey, propelling them to second place in the world rankings. This rise is a testament to Germany’s ability to perform under pressure and its status as one of the top hockey nations.
England, the pre-tournament favorite, dropped to third place. Their initial position as the second-ranked team was overshadowed by a less-than-ideal performance in the knockout stages, culminating in a disappointing exit. Despite a strong showing in the pool phase, the English team needed help maintaining their momentum, leading to their fall in the rankings.
Belgium, the defending champions, faced an unexpected quarterfinal exit given their near-perfect pool stage performance. Their four wins and a draw had initially propelled them to the top of the world rankings, but a loss to Spain in the quarterfinals resulted in a drop to fourth place. This outcome was a significant setback for the Red Lions, who had been anticipated to perform better in their defense of the title.
India, on the other hand, saw a positive shift in its rankings, moving up to fifth place. Its consistent performances, including a bronze medal finish at the Olympics, have strengthened its position and bridged the gap to the top four. This result builds on its previous success and highlights its growing prominence in international hockey.
Australia, ranked fourth in the Olympics, experienced a challenging tournament. Despite their strong start with a win over Argentina, a series of losses to critical teams, including Belgium and India, and a knockout by the Netherlands saw them drop to sixth place. Their final position reflects a disappointing end to what was expected to be a successful campaign.
Despite their bronze medal finish at the Olympics, Argentina retained their seventh place in the world rankings. The Argentinian team’s performance throughout the tournament was commendable, though their ranking remained relatively stable due to the close competition at the top. Spain, who fell just short of the bronze medal, maintained their eighth place, with a gap to seventh now significantly reduced compared to before the Olympics.
Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand completed the top twelve in the men’s rankings. Ireland’s victory over New Zealand in their final pool stage game allowed them to rise two places to ninth, while France, with a disappointing end to their campaign, fell to tenth. South Africa and New Zealand struggled at the Olympics and saw slight adjustments in their rankings.
The Netherlands continued their hockey dominance in the women’s tournament by winning their fourth Olympic gold medal in the last five editions. Their impeccable campaign, which saw them win all eight matches, reinforced their position as the top team in women’s hockey. This impressive run has solidified their standing and showcased their exceptional consistency and skill.
Argentina, with a bronze medal performance, maintained their second-place ranking. Despite the distance between them and the top spot, their continued strong showings on the global stage keep them firmly in the upper echelons of women’s hockey. Belgium, who narrowly missed their first-ever Olympic medal, moved to third place. Their campaign, marked by close losses in shoot-outs, demonstrated their competitiveness and has positively impacted their world ranking.
Germany’s quarterfinal exit led to a drop to fourth place in the rankings, reflecting a slight downturn from their previous standing. Australia, fifth in the Olympics, remained in the same position despite its early exit. Their performance throughout the pool stage was strong, but they could not advance further.
With their impressive run in Paris 2024, China climbed to sixth in the world rankings. Their near-miss in the gold medal match highlighted their competitive edge and pushed them up the rankings. England and Spain, who finished seventh and eighth, respectively, saw their positions adjusted slightly, reflecting their performances during the Olympics.
India and New Zealand ranked in the top ten in the women’s rankings. India’s absence from the Olympics did not significantly affect their position, while New Zealand’s performance at the Games kept them in the top ten.
Japan and the United States showed competitive spirit among teams outside the top ten. Japan was closely trailing New Zealand in eleventh place, while the United States, who had a spirited pool stage campaign, ranked thirteenth. South Africa and France, finishing at the bottom of the rankings, found positives in their performances, with South Africa showing competitive play despite a very young squad and France making their debut at the Olympics.
The updated world rankings after the Paris 2024 Olympics reflect international hockey’s dynamic and evolving landscape. The tournament has not only highlighted the extraordinary skill and determination of the top teams but also set the stage for future competitions and developments in the sport.
