Spurred on by just missing out on a maiden medal, four years later the women ensured they didn't return home empty handed as they won bronze at Barcelona '92. A draw against the USA in their final group game saw them progress to the semi-finals, where they lost 1-0 to South Korea before being beaten by the Dutch in the bronze medal match. Two goals from Imran Sherwani and another from Kerly then saw Roger Self's side standing on the top step of the podium, with commentator Barry Davies uttering the famous line: "Where were the Germans? But frankly, who cares?"ġ988 also saw GB's women make their Olympic debut, with Moira MacLeod making history by scoring their first goal as they got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Argentina. Sean Kerly - one of several squad members who lost in the semi-final four years previously - then ensured GB would return home with at least a silver, scoring a hat-trick as they beat Australia 3-2 to reach the final. They reached the semi-finals by finishing second in the group, recording three wins and a draw whilst narrowly losing to West Germany. The planning for the next Olympics in started on the plane home from LA and four years later it paid off handsomely as, in Seoul, the men then claimed their first gold since 1920. But that didn't stop them and goals from Richard Dodds, Paul Barber and Sean Kerly (his seventh of the tournament) saw them emerge victorious over pre-tournament favourites Australia in the bronze medal match to secure their first silverware in 32 years. They topped their group with four victories and a draw against eventual champions Pakistan but the chance of a fairy-tale gold was denied when West Germany beat them 1-0 in the semi-finals. But the boycott of the USSR meant the team were drafted into the line-up and they certainly made the most of their opportunity. Tougher times (1956-1980)Īfter losing a series of play-off matches against Belgium, Great Britain's men looked set to miss out on a third straight Olympic appearance at the LA 1984 Games. But after an objection from England and Wales it was decided this would not happen and the team subsequently went on to win bronze in Finland, overcoming Pakistan to secure the final medal. Two years out from the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, GB's participation looked in doubt after the board voted to withdraw their affiliation from the FIH. They then overcame Pakistan 2-0 to reach the final but were unable to stop an incredible Indian side from claiming a fourth successive Olympic title. After a goalless draw in their opening game against Switzerland, they thrashed the USA 11-0 and Afghanistan 8-0 to progress to the semi-finals. GB did not compete in an Olympic hockey competition again until the London 1948 Games. They also recorded a 12-1 win over the latter which still remains the biggest victory for any British hockey team at an Olympics. When hockey next featured at the Games in 1920 the first official Great Britain Olympic team was fielded and again secured the gold, finishing top of a group including Denmark, France and hosts Belgium. Ireland's silver medal in the final also counted towards GB's overall medal tally. It was a clean sweep of the medals for Great Britain when field hockey made its Olympic debut in 1908, with England's men claiming the gold while Scotland and Wales both secured bronze.
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