'It's Harmanpreet again': Fans celebrate as India wins Olympic bronze, Sreejesh retires on a high
The Indian men's hockey team secured their second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 by defeating Spain 2-1, sparking an outpouring of ecstatic reactions and tributes from fans on social media.
In a thrilling encounter at the Paris Olympics 2024, the Indian men's hockey team clinched its second successive bronze medal by defeating Spain 2-1 in the third-place playoff match. This victory, which comes after their third-place finish in Tokyo three years ago, is a testament to the team's consistency and determination on the global stage.
#INDvsESP India Woooooon Bronze Medal ??? pic.twitter.com/PVGnyMbbpW
¡ª Nimish_20 (@shirsat_nimish) August 8, 2024
Fans across social media platforms were ecstatic, flooding the internet with heartfelt reactions and tributes to the team.
Here's how they reacted:
BREAKING : India secures its 4th Medal at the #Paris2024 Olympics.
¡ª Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) August 8, 2024
India defeats Spain to win the bronze medal in Hockey.
Some good news after massive heartbreaks ?#INDvsESP pic.twitter.com/lhrizyjZxM
Bronze for Indian Men¡¯s Hockey Team!! ???
¡ª The Riyan Sena! ? (@notriyanparag) August 8, 2024
4th Medal for India at Paris 2024 Olympics ?#INDvsESP #Hockey #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/xayxBAqXC9
All Indians watching #INDvsESP bronze ? medal hockey ? match.
¡ª Atulya (@DesiMemesTweets) August 8, 2024
Well done Harmanpreet Singh & team pic.twitter.com/dtu14t6TKO
#INDvsESPGoaallllll....!!!!!
¡ª narendra _chourhary_08 (@naren___08) August 8, 2024
It's Harmanpreet again ??
10th goal in 8 matches
Sarpanch Saab is just unstoppable ? #INDvsESP #Hockey??? #HockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/g8jO910K9c
PR Sreejesh?#INDvsESP #Hockey pic.twitter.com/RISybSuD5W
¡ª Sir-kid (@ooobhaishab) August 8, 2024
4th medal for india ????#INDvsESPpic.twitter.com/M0GSQFI5qk
¡ª Desi Bhayo (@desi_bhayo88) August 8, 2024
Our Hockey team didn't deserve to come back without a medal and FINALLY! they've done justice to their performance by clinching off the 4th Bronze ? specially at the farewell match for PR Sreejesh to end his legendary career on high!! ?#Hockey #INDvsESP pic.twitter.com/nKykRhTtay
¡ª ???tya?? (@jabweleft) August 8, 2024
Chak de! A befitting farewell to the wall #Sreejesh #INDvsESP pic.twitter.com/ofZw3qlUwQ
¡ª aditi tyagi (@aditi_tyagi) August 8, 2024
Two consecutive Bronze medal for men's Hockey after 50 years.?
¡ª Arjun (@HeyArjun0) August 8, 2024
Record breaking back to back medal for Indian boys.#Hockey???#INDvsESP #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/pauSpldG3T
Chak de India??
¡ª S?? (@fr_shruutea) August 8, 2024
Happy retirement Sreejesh 'THE WALL' finishing off with a medal for India ???#INDvsESP #sreejesh pic.twitter.com/dYuekvXoyq
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh was the standout performer, scoring twice in the 30th and 33rd minutes to turn the match in India's favor.
Harmanpreet Singh reignites the hopes for victory as India takes the lead! ? ?#Cheer4Bharat & watch ?????, LIVE NOW on #Sports18 & stream for FREE on #JioCinema ? #OlympicsonJioCinema #OlympicsonSports18 #Olympics #JioCinemaSports #Hockey pic.twitter.com/xaio1BCoGz
¡ª JioCinema (@JioCinema) August 8, 2024
His impeccable conversion of penalty corners was crucial in overcoming Spain's early lead, which came through a penalty stroke converted by their captain Marc Miralles in the 18th minute.
The match held added significance as it marked the final international appearance of veteran Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, affectionately known as "The Great Indian Wall of Indian hockey." Sreejesh¡¯s illustrious 18-year career has seen him become one of India¡¯s most revered sportsmen, and this bronze medal serves as a fitting farewell for the legendary custodian.
The Indian team showed great resilience, especially after a heartbreaking semifinal loss to Germany. Their determination to secure a medal shone through in their spirited play, with Harmanpreet's leadership and the team¡¯s collective effort ensuring a memorable end to their Olympic campaign.
Later in the day, Germany will face the Netherlands in the final, but for Indian fans, the focus remains on their team¡¯s hard-fought victory and Sreejesh's emotional farewell at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir. The match, rich in drama and significance, will be remembered as a proud moment for Indian hockey.
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Kumar Debvrat is a copyeditor at Indiatimes. He writes about trending topics in India, from human-interest stories to cricket. He has a sharp eye for detail and a passion for storytelling.
