- Men's hockey at the Olympics continues - semi-final against India
The German men's hockey team has reached the semifinals of the Olympic Games for the sixth consecutive time. The reigning world champions secured a 3:2 (2:1) victory against Argentina in a thrilling quarterfinal match in Paris, keeping their medal hopes alive. In the semifinals, the team coached by Bundestrainer André Henning will face eight-time Olympic champions India on Tuesday.
Goals for the German Hockey Federation team, which topped its group after the preliminary round, were scored by Teo Hinrichs (9th minute), Gonzalo Peillat (24th), and Justus Weigand (54th). Argentina temporarily equalized through Maico Casella (11th) and Agustin Mazzilli (48th). Germany last reached the semifinals in Sydney 2000 and finished fifth. At the Tokyo Games in 2021, the team settled for fourth place.
An Argentinian scores for Germany
At the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, the German team took advantage of the first opportunity to take an early lead. Niklas Wellen set up a perfect pass into the center in front of the goal, which Hinrichs finished with a powerful shot. Before the first quarter ended, the South Americans, who won Olympic silver in Tokyo three years ago, equalized with a successful penalty corner.
On the other end, it was Peillat who scored in the same manner. For the 31-year-old, who was born in Argentina, this was a special encounter. He had won Olympic gold with his home country in Rio 2016 but did not play for the national team for several years due to a falling out with the federation. Since 2022, he has been playing for Germany.
In the second half, Argentina pressed for the equalizer and was rewarded with a goal from a free hit in the final quarter. In the intense and exciting final phase, Weigand put Germany ahead for the third time.
The German Hockey Federation might consider investigating an unusual incident where an Argentinian player accidentally scored for them during the quarterfinal match. Despite Argentina's best efforts to equalize in the second half, The Commission's (German Hockey Federation's) disciplinary measures will play a crucial role in handling this unusual situation in the semifinals against India.
