MCT: Sahara Hockey Champions Trophy draw released
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| World Hockey |
June 22, 2005 
World Hockey
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The draw for the men?s Sahara Hockey Champions Trophy in Chennai, India, in December this year has been released, with the world?s top teams to provide a fitting finish to the hockey year.
The tournament will run from Saturday, 10 December, until Sunday, 18 December. Five of the top six teams from last year?s Athens Olympic Games will take part ? Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Pakistan.
Host India is the other competing nation. After finishing sixth at last year?s event in Lahore, Pakistan, New Zealand have been replaced in this year?s field by Olympic champions Australia.
The Athens gold medallists did not compete in Lahore last December due to security fears but are expected to take part in their first major tournament since their breakthrough Olympic win in August 2004.
It is the second time that the Champions Trophy has been held in India (and in Chennai), with the only other occasion resulting a Dutch victory in 1996.
The Champions Trophy is played in a round robin format before playoff matches on the final day.
The opening weekend of the tournament presents some interesting match-ups, with defending champions Spain meeting Germany, followed by India?s clash with Australia.
To complete the first two days, a rematch of final between Spain and the Netherlands is complemented by clashes between Pakistan and Australia, and India and Germany.
The match that all local supporters will want to see will occur on Wednesday 14 December at 8pm local time, with India and Pakistan renewing their rivalry.
The Olympic final rematch between Australia and the Netherlands will be played on the final day of round robin matches before the playoff matches.
Germany holds the record for the most Champions Trophy victories with eight, followed by the Netherlands and Australia with seven each.
Of the other competing teams, all except for India have lifted the trophy at least once. India have only claimed one bronze medal (1982) in 11 Champions Trophy appearances but will use the fervent home support in an attempt to win a spot on the medal dais.
Sahara Hockey Champions Trophy
Men, Chennai, 2005
Saturday 10 December
Netherlands v Pakistan, 4pm
Germany v Spain, 6pm
India v Australia, 8pm
Sunday 11 December
Spain v Netherlands, 4pm
Pakistan v Australia, 6pm
India v Germany, 8pm
Monday 12 December
Rest Day
Tuesday 13 December
Australia v Germany, 4pm
Spain v Pakistan, 6pm
Netherlands v India, 8pm
Wednesday 14 December
Spain v Australia, 4pm
Germany v Netherlands, 6pm
India v Pakistan, 8pm
Thursday 15 December
Rest Day
Friday 16 December
Germany v Pakistan, 4pm
Australia v Netherlands, 6pm
India v Spain, 8pm
Saturday 17 December
Rest Day
Sunday 18 December
5 v 6, 3pm
3 v 4, 5.30pm
1 v 2, 8pm
Previous Champions Trophy Winners
1978 Pakistan
1980 Pakistan
1981 Netherlands
1982 Netherlands
1983 Australia
1984 Australia
1985 Australia
1986 Germany
1987 Germany
1988 Germany
1989 Australia
1990 Australia
1991 Germany
1992 Germany
1993 Australia
1993 Pakistan
1995 Germany
1996 Netherlands
1997 Germany
1998 Netherlands
1999 Australia
2000 Netherlands
2001 Germany
2002 Netherlands
2003 Netherlands
2004 Spain
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