Women?s Olympic Games, Athens

Form Guide

If form over the last four years repeats itself, then the women?s medals in Athens will come down to a four team race between Argentina, China, Australia and Netherlands.  Any of these four teams could legitimately lay claim to the gold, having each finished in the top four of every major tournament since the Sydney Olympics.

Look out for Spain in Pool A.  They may depose China from a semi final berth and find themselves in the hunt for a place on the dais.

Pool A

Argentina

Current World Rank:  1

2000 Olympics Results:  Silver

Best Olympic Result:  Silver (2000)

Openly jubilant with a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics, only gold will satisfy the Argentineans in Athens.

Ranked number one in the world and earning the mantle of the new ?team to beat? in international women?s hockey, Argentina plays a defensive style of play coupled with skilful and penetrating counterattacks.  Gold at the 2001 Champions Trophy and 2002 World Cup are indicators of Argentina?s strength.

With experienced and skilful players all over the field with 11 from their Sydney 2000 team making another Olympic appearance, coupled with thorough coaching staff, Argentina is the gold medal favourite.

They qualified for Athens by winning the 2003 PanAmerican Games

Players to watch:  Argentina boasts an impressive line-up of quality players, exemplified by midfielder Lucia Aymar and deep defender Cecilia Rognoni, recognised by many observers as the two best players in the world.  Rising star Agustina Garcia should excite in attack.

Expected to Finish:  Top 3

China

Current World Rank:  4

2000 Olympics Results:  5th

Best Olympic Result:  5th (2000)

An unknown force in the 90?s, China surprised the hockey world by finishing fifth at the Sydney Olympics.  They have recently further consolidated their chances for a medal in Athens after some stunning performances at the 2002 and 2003 Champions Trophies, winning gold and silver medals. 

An extremely fit team with a high level of discipline, China is now starting to find flair in attack, making them a more formidable opponent.  Look for fast counterattacks after rigid and highly mobile defence.  They will need to score goals more freely than in previous tournaments to be a serious gold medal chance.

China qualified for Athens by winning the 2002 Asia Games.

Players to watch:  Striker Fu Baorong is very fast, has a strong goal-sense and will be the main instigator of China?s forward movement.  China?s defence is marshalled by one of the top goalkeepers in the world, the tall Nie Yali.

Japan

Current World Rank:  11

2000 Olympics Results:  Did not compete

Best Olympic Result:  Never competed

Japan showed impressive form and tenacity to win the Olympic Qualifier Tournament earlier this year in Auckland and storm into their first ever Olympic Games.

A hard working and physical team, they boast few stars and rely heavily on their teamwork to wear down their opposition.  If their Auckland form continues in Athens, Japan could well upset some higher ranked teams although their inexperience will be a factor.

Players to watch:  Small in size but large in work rate is centre midfielder Sachimi Iwao who holds together the Japanese defensive unit.  Keep a eye on Sakae Morimoto in attack, who topped the goal scorers list at the Olympic Qualifier and is particularly devastating on her reverse.

Expected to Finish:  8th

New Zealand

Current World Rank:  9

2000 Olympics Results:  6th

Best Olympic Result:  6th (1984, 2000)

After emerging as a genuine top six contender from 1998 to 2001, they were unexpectedly beset by some influential retirements.  Since then, New Zealand has struggled to regain their standing.

A change of coach in 2003 has seen New Zealand appear to be on the road to recovery with a strong third placed performance as the hosts of the Olympic Qualifier in March this year.

They play a flowing style of hockey that is matched by their aerobic effort all over the field.  Never underestimate New Zealand, who have recently demonstrated a never-say-die attitude in order to claw back to a win after trailing quality teams.

Their ability to keep a tight defence will be the key to their success in Athens.

Players to watch:  Their captain Suzie Muirhead (Pearce) controls the flow of the New Zealand attack in the centre half position.  Her ability to steal and distribute the ball to their hard running strikers will be critical if New Zealand are to finish in the middle of the rankings.

Expected to Finish:  10th

Spain

Current World Rank:  6

2000 Olympics Results:  4th

Best Olympic Result:  Gold (1992)

After winning gold in Barcelona from a ranking of five, Spain has not been able to consistently move above a top-six position.

Known for their highly defensive style of play and scoring off occasional breaks into attack, Spain are more than a handful against free flowing sides in their Pool such as China and New Zealand.

Spain is well positioned to be the surprise medallist in Athens, and they will look to steal a semi-final place from the higher ranked Argentina or China.

Spain qualified for Athens by finishing second at the Olympic Qualifier tournament in March this year.

Players to watch:  Striker Nuria Camon is skilful and tenacious, and her ability to convert their chances into goals or penalty corners will be vital for their success.  The busy Lucia Lopez is also a prime mover for Spain in the middle of the field.

Expected to Finish:  5th

Pool B

Australia

Current World Rank:  2

2000 Olympics Results:  Gold

Best Olympic Result:  Gold (1988, 1996, 2000)

Australia dominated the international women?s hockey scene from 1993 to 2000, winning gold medals in two Olympics, two World Cups and four Champions Trophies.  Retirement of over 2/3 of the squad following the Sydney Olympics has seen Australia forced to rebuild, although they have remained a clear-cut top-four team in that time.

Winning the 2003 Champions Trophy was a major confidence boost for the young team, who have set a new standard in fast, attacking hockey that is combined with a tight defence.

Australia qualified for Athens by winning the 2003 Oceania Cup tournament.

Players to watch:  Kate Allen is an inspirational deep defender who will be the cornerstone of Australia?s ability to shut out their opposition attack.  Australia also boasts one of the most experienced striker lines, with captain Katrina Powell, Julie Towers and Nikki Hudson (Mott) all likely to finish the chances created by their midfield.

Expected to Finish:  Top 3

Germany

Current World Rank:  7

2000 Olympics Results:  7th

Best Olympic Result:  Silver (1992)

Germany went into the Sydney Olympics with expectations of a top-two finish.  A surprisingly poor start to the tournament saw them finish seventh, and they have never recovered in the four years since.

Wearing the dreaded tag of being ?inconsistent? in the past few years, the Germans play a patient game in defence with the ability to punish teams on a counterattack.  Their striker line is their most experienced asset, and if they fire, they could surprise pool favourites Australia and Netherlands.

Germany was the second last qualifier for the Olympics by finishing fourth at the Auckland Qualifier tournament in March 2004.

Players to watch:  Their front three strikers in Natascha Keller, Heike Latzsch and Nadine Ernstine-Krienke are fast, skilful and entertaining, with the latter two attending their fourth Olympic Games.  If they perform and their defence holds, the Germans may be a medal chance.

Expected to Finish:  7th

Netherlands

Current World Rank:  3

2000 Olympics Results:  Bronze

Best Olympic Result:  Gold (1984)

Despite their top 3 status since 1996, Netherlands have developed a reputation as a fearsome force in their native Holland, and yet have failed to win a major tournament away from home.  Athens could well be the year they reverse this trend.

They are a skilful and fast paced team, boasting a tough and uncompromising defence as well as a potent and aggressive attack.  They are clear medal favourites for this tournament, with some analysts expecting them to win at least silver.  However, their inconsistent form at a recent home tournament was not convincing.

Netherlands qualified for Athens by winning the 2003 European Nations Cup.

Players to watch:  Look out for their captain and winner of the 2003 FIH Female Player of the Year, Mijntje Donners. She plays a critical role for the Netherlands in attack with her speed on the ball and also penalty corner hitting.  Midfielder Minke Smabers is also critical to the Dutch fortunes with her ability to read the play.

Expected to Finish:  Top 3

South Africa

Current World Rank:  13

2000 Olympics Results:  10th

Best Olympic Result:  10th (2000)

South Africa played their first Olympics four years ago, and now are at the best form and strength in their international history.  A poor performance at the 2002 World Cup exposed a lack of depth within the South African line-up, a factor that is likely to trouble them in Athens. 

They play a tough and physical brand of hockey, with all players on the field willing work hard to support their star striker, Pietee Coetzee. 

As some results in early 2004 have shown, South Africa has the ability to upset higher ranked teams, although consistency will be the key to their success in Athens.

South Africa qualified for the Olympics by winning the 2003 All Africa Games.

Players to watch:  South Africa?s attack is spearheaded by Coetzee who will be the focus of most opposition?s defences.  She has an amazing track record for spectacular field goals, as well as a powerful drag flick on penalty corners.  Also look for the midfield strength and control of Susan Webber (Wessels).

Expected to Finish:  9th

Korea

Current World Rank:  8

2000 Olympics Results:  9th

Best Olympic Result:  Silver (1988, 1996)

Korea burst into second on the world rankings after the 1988 Olympics and held their form to win silver in 1996.  Since then, they have gradually slipped down the rankings to eighth.

Playing a fast, attacking and open style of hockey similar to the Australians, they perform well against the defensively oriented European teams.  Injuries to key position players have hurt Korea in recent tournaments.  Despite these difficulties, they are an experienced and thorough unit who should finish third in their pool.

Korea was the tenth and final qualifier for Athens, finishing fifth in Auckland and knocking out USA at the final hurdle. 

Players to watch:  Captain Seong Eun Kim is the main playmaker for Korea with her excellent stick skills and leg speed in attack.  Kim is a dangerous striker and will be a handful for every defence she meets.

Expected to Finish:  6th

Predicted Pool Finish:

1 to 4

1. Argentina, China
2. Australia, Netherlands

5 to 8

1. Spain, Japan
2. Korea, Germany

9 to 10

1. New Zealand
2. South Africa

Final Rank Prediction:

1. Argentina
2. Australia
3. Netherlands
4. China
5. Spain
6. Korea
7. Germany
8. Japan
9. South Africa
10. New Zealand