Paris Olympics 2024: Historic milestones Indian hockey team could achieve with semifinal win over Germany

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Indian men's hockey team stands on the brink of history as they prepare to face Germany in a high-stakes semifinal on August 6. Fresh off back-to-back victories against formidable opponents like Australia and Great Britain, the Men in Blue are riding a wave of confidence and momentum.

In their quarterfinal against Great Britain, the Indian team showed incredible resilience. They faced an early setback when Amit Rohidas was shown a red card just 18 minutes into the match, reducing them to 10 men. Yet, despite the odds, the Indian side held their nerve, ultimately triumphing in a tense shootout. This victory wasn¡¯t just about advancing; it was a statement of intent and a testament to the team's determination.

Our boys during the penalty shootout in Quarter-Final at Paris Olympics ??

James Albery scored first for GB

Captain Harmanpreet equalized with a 360 drag to make it 1-1

Zach Wallace scored next for GB making it 2-1

Up stepped Sukhjeet Singh with icy veins and made it 2-2¡­ pic.twitter.com/ZaWs6T3hnU

¡ª Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 4, 2024

As they gear up to take on Germany, the stakes couldn¡¯t be higher. A win here wouldn¡¯t just secure a spot in the final¡ªit would also mark the achievement of several significant milestones that have eluded the team for decades.

The longest wait for an Olympic Final

For India, this semifinal is more than just a game; it¡¯s a chance to end a 44-year drought. The last time the Indian men's hockey team reached an Olympic final was in 1980, at the Moscow Games, where they claimed their eighth gold medal. Since then, despite being a powerhouse in the sport's early years, the team has struggled to replicate that success on the Olympic stage.

1980 :: Indian Hockey Team That Won Gold In Moscow Olympics pic.twitter.com/hfxPxcjsef

¡ª indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) August 1, 2021

In the history of Olympic hockey, the record for the longest gap between finals appearances is held by Great Britain. After winning the gold in 1948, they didn¡¯t make it to another final until 1988¡ªa full 40 years later. India now stands on the brink of surpassing that record, with a potential return to the final after an even longer 44-year wait.

A chance to extend their record

India's legacy in Olympic hockey is unmatched. The team has made it to the final nine times, winning gold on eight occasions. Their only loss in a final came against Pakistan in 1960. A win against Germany would not only put India back in the final but would also extend their record to a tenth final appearance¡ªan achievement that no other team has matched.

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Germany, their semifinal opponents, have made it to the final seven times, while Pakistan has reached the final on six occasions. For India, this would be a chance to reassert their dominance in a sport they once ruled.

Head-to-head dominance over Germany

While India has a mixed record against teams like Australia and Pakistan, they have fared better against Germany at the Olympics. Maintaining this head-to-head supremacy would be a significant psychological boost for the team.

Credit: X

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Historically, Pakistan has had the upper hand in their Olympic encounters with India, winning four out of seven matches. Australia has also been a tough opponent, with six wins in 12 Olympic meetings. However, India recently broke a 52-year jinx by defeating Australia 3-2 in a pool match at these very Games, signaling a shift in fortunes.

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