Field Hockey > Day by Day Recap

The top-ranked Dutch defeated China, the upstart hosts who had played stellar defense throughout the Games, 2-0. Argentina prevailed over Germany for the bronze.

An exciting day of men's semifinal action saw Spain defeat defending Olympic champion Australia 3-2 on a late goal by Santiago Freixa. Germany beat the Netherlands on penalty shots, 4-3, after the game ended in a 1-1 tie during regulation, setting up the gold-medal game.

China defeated Germany to advance to the women's field hockey gold medal game - guaranteeing the country's first medal. The U.S. lost its classification game, falling to 8th place in the women's tournament.

Australia's struggled through its second straight draw, tying Great Britain 3-3. But despite the uneven play, the Aussies still earned a spot in the semifinals. Spain, Germany and the Netherlands advanced as well.

The U.S. lost a chance of winning a medal - or even qualifying for fifth place in the tournament when the team tied Great Britain, 0-0. China qualified for the semifinals and a shot at its first-ever field hockey medal.

Australia and the Netherlands tied 2-all in a matchup of unbeaten powerhouses in Olympic men's field hockey pool play.

The U.S. won its first game, beating New Zealand, 4-1, and keeping its medal hopes alive. The top-ranked Dutch defeated Australia, 2-1, dealing the Aussies their first loss of the tournament.

Australia and the Netherlands continued to be undefeated in pool play, setting up a showdown between these two top teams. Spain also stayed undefeated, while Germany - the top-ranked team entering the tournament - suffered its second tie.

Germany dealt hte United States its first loss of hte women's field hockey tournament, beating Team USA 4-2. The defending Olympic champions wracked up their third straight win.

Australia continued its dominance, crushing hapless South Africa, 10-0. The Netherlands and Spain also continued winning, scraping by with tight 1-0 victories.

The U.S. scored its second straight tie, after midfielder Kate Barber scored late in the second half against Japan. The U.S. trailed most of the game, stifled by Japan's defense before Barber finally broke through.

The two teams from the gold medal game in Athens opened the Olympic tournament with a flourish. Australia crushed Canada, 6-1, and the Netherlands shut out South Africa, 5-0.

On the first day of women's field hockey pool play, the 11th-ranked United States team tied second place Argentina, 2-2, sparking hopes that Team USA could be a surprise contender in the tournament.