Picture : ANI / X
India’s men’s hockey team clinched a second successive bronze medal at the Olympics for the first time in 52 years after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Spain, giving veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh a fitting farewell in Paris .
It was tense last few minutes for the Indians as Spain forced two penalty-corners in the last minute but the defence stood tall and soaked in the pressure.
Having won a bronze in the Tokyo Games after a hiatus of 41 years, the eight-time Olympic champions lived up to expectations despite not having a perfect build-up to the tournament.
The last time India won back-to-back Olympic medals was in 1968 (bronze) and 1972 editions (bronze).
The bronze medal was also a desperate wait for the Indian contingent, which has endured six fourth-place finishes so far, apart the heartbreaking disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat.
Spain went ahead with skipper Marc Miralles converting a penalty stroke in the 18th minute.
India’s captain Harmanpreet Singh then stole the limelight, scoring in the 30th and 33rd minute from penalty-corners.
Shrugging off their heart-wrenching 2-3 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals, India came out all guns blazing and dominated possession in the first quarter.
The Bronze win did not go unnoticed as congratulations followed on X for Team India
President Droupadi Murmu
Heartiest congratulations to our Hockey Team for securing the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics! It is after over five decades that India has won bronze medals in back-to-back Olympic Games. The team deserves highest praise for resurgence of Indian Hockey. They have done India…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 8, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
A feat that will be cherished for generations to come!
The Indian Hockey team shines bright at the Olympics, bringing home the Bronze Medal! This is even more special because it is their second consecutive Medal at the Olympics.
Their success is a triumph of skill,…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2024
Rahul Gandhi, Leader Of Opposition
Phenomenal match by the Indian Hockey Team – proud to see you all bag the Bronze Medal 🥉
Thank you, Sreejesh. Your relentless commitment to excellence has kept us inspired.#ParisOlympics2024 pic.twitter.com/cN9UYOIjD5
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 8, 2024
Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president
We are overjoyed to witness an exhilarating match where our talented Hockey Team has clinched a Bronze medal 🥉in the #Paris2024 #Olympics for the nation.
This is a historic milestone because the last time India won a back to back Olympic medal in the game was in 1968 and 1972.… pic.twitter.com/zGOOVO2eQG
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) August 8, 2024
Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP
Chak de India!
Congratulations for winning the bronze, Hockey Team! pic.twitter.com/t4JGuTBYhG
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) August 8, 2024
