Harmanpreet Leads India to Olympic Bronze with Victory Over Spain
Paris: In a thrilling conclusion to their Olympic campaign, the Indian hockey team clinched a second consecutive bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over Spain on Thursday, thanks to captain Harmanpreet Singh’s decisive double. This win also marked a fitting farewell for veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh.
India bounced back from a narrow 2-3 loss to Germany in the semifinals with a resilient performance. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice from penalty corners in the 30th and 33rd minutes, overcoming Spain’s early lead. Spain’s Marc Miralles had initially put his team ahead with a penalty stroke in the 18th minute.
India’s aggressive play was evident from the start as they dominated the opening quarter, but Spain made a strong comeback. Despite Spain earning nine penalty corners compared to India’s six, the Indian team’s offensive strategy paid off.
Sreejesh, in his final international appearance, delivered a series of crucial saves, cementing his legacy in a career that spanned 18 years. The victory not only provided a triumphant end to Sreejesh’s illustrious career but also followed India’s historic bronze medal win in Tokyo, breaking a 41-year medal drought.
With this win, India showcased their ability to rebound from setbacks and maintain their stature on the global stage.
