**MOG: Men’s Olympic Games Form Guide **](http://www.planetfieldhockey.com/PFH/Item-View-13753)
With the modern men’s game tending to be won and lost on penalty corner conversion ability, a close tournament is expected in Athens.
Form over the past four years indicates that Germany, Netherlands and Australia should be fighting for the gold, although the emergence of Spain as a world force in the past 12 months could provide the upset.
Pool A
Egypt
Current World Rank: 16
Best Olympic Result: 12th (1992)
Egypt surprised many after they came from behind to dramatically defeat South Africa in extra time in the final of the 2003 All African Games and qualified for their second ever Olympic Games.
A largely unknown quantity to many teams, they are a fast and skilful team that will look similar in style of play to Pakistan, and as such, could surprise any opposition for periods of the match.
Their inexperience in not having appeared in a major tournament since the Barcelona Olympics (1992), leads to suspicion that Egypt are unlikely to trouble the more experienced teams in Pool A.
Players to watch: The tall striker Abrahim Belal plays regularly in the German club league and is a world class player by any standards. His silky skills and ball sense make him a danger in deep offence for Egypt. Controlling the midfield is their captain, Yasser, who will be a vital influence on their ability to shift the ball out of defence into attack.
Expected to Finish: 12th
Germany
Current World Rank: 1
2000 Olympics Results: 5th
Best Olympic Result: Gold (1992, 1972)
The Germans are all but certain to win a medal in Athens, with just the question of colour remaining. A genuine and consistent top-three hockey power since the early seventies, they have recently consolidated their position as the number one ranked team in the world with gold at the 2002 World Cup and 2001 Champions Trophy.
Boasting a wealth of experience in every line, the physically imposing German team combines flair and brilliance in attack with highly disciplined and tough defence. They should head Pool A after the round games.
Germany qualified for Athens by winning the 2003 European Nations Cup.
Players to watch: It is hard to look past the powerful German striker line of Matthias Witthaus, Christoph Bechmann and Bjoern Michel. Their power and ability to penetrate the best defences is a key to Germany’s game plan. Also look for the giant Florian Kunz, highly experienced in both deep defence and on their penalty corner attack.
Expected to Finish: Top 4
Great Britain
Current World Rank: 8
2000 Olympics Results: 6th
Best Olympic Result: Gold (1988)
In world hockey, Great Britain forms every four years to compete at the Olympic Games. All other times, they compete as England, Scotland or Wales. As such, it is often hard to predict just how good the form of Great Britain will be.
Having struggled through the Qualifier tournament in Madrid earlier this year, recent practice results for Great Britain have been mixed. They play a tough and rugged brand of hockey that relies heavily on being able to restrict the opposition midfield and then convert fast counterattacks into scoring opportunities.
Great Britain is a danger side for all teams in Pool A, although inconsistency could be their main enemy.
They qualified for Athens by finishing fifth at the 2004 Olympic Qualifier tournament in Madrid.
Players to watch: Great Britain’s Simon Mason is considered one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the world. The tall Mason is critical to their attempts to defeat some of the powerful corner batteries in Pool A. Also look for the powerful Danny Hall in attack who has the ability to score from both sides of the circle.
Expected to Finish: 9th
Korea
Current World Rank: 4
2000 Olympics Results: Silver
Best Olympic Result: Silver (2000)
Having emerged as a top-six team at the Atlanta Olympics (1996), and then quietly sneaking past some more fancied teams in 1999 and 2000 to win medals at two Champions Trophies and the Sydney Olympics, Korea are never to be underestimated.
Playing a defensive style of hockey that involves a resolute defence and patient midfield, Korea look to attack with long overheads or the long pass up the sidelines. Korea’s biggest hurdle in Athens will be the challenge to create scoring opportunities once in their attacking half.
Their ability to hold a top three ranking over the past two years has slipped relative some other emerging nations, and they are not expected to finish ahead of Germany, Spain and Pakistan in Pool A.
Korea qualified for Athens by winning the 2002 Asian Games.
Players to watch: Seo Jong Ho is a lightening fast striker for Korea, and will draw attention from each opposition’s deep defence. Also potent in attack is their penalty corner specialist, Lee Jung Seon who can score consistently from both the field, and on their corner set play.
Expected to Finish: 7th
Pakistan
Current World Rank: 5
2000 Olympics Results: 4th
Best Olympic Result: Gold (1984, 1968, 1960)
Appearing at every Olympics (except the Moscow boycott in 1980) since 1948, Pakistan earned medals from eight of these 13 appearances.
However, after dominating the world hockey scene from the 60’s through to the early 80’s, they have won just one Olympic bronze medal since winning gold in Los Angeles 1984.
Their free flowing and fast style of play has entertained for many years, although they have struggled to find the same level of success in the last few. A new Dutch coach has seen a shift in their style of play in the last 12 months, and they will pose as a danger match for every opponent in this tournament.
Of particular note is their penalty corner conversion ability, due almost solely to the power and skill of Sohail Abbas.
Pakistan qualified for Athens by finishing third at the 2004 Olympic Qualifier tournament in Madrid.
Players to watch: Deep defender Sohail Abbas is widely acclaimed as the number one penalty corner converter in the world. His track record in high pressure situations is impressive, and opponents will have to limit his chances if they are to defeat Pakistan. Keep an eye on the lightening fast Rehan Butt in attack who often scores a goal a game.
Expected to Finish: 5th
Spain
Current World Rank: 9
2000 Olympics Results: 9th
Best Olympic Result: Silver (1996, 1980)
After consistent top three finishes in 1996 to 1998, Spain looked poised to become a new, consistent medallist and genuine power in men’s hockey. However a disastrous and unexpected ninth place at the Sydney Olympics saw them slip into a rebuilding phase for the next few years.
Playing a spectacular brand of attacking hockey with lightening fast and strong strikers coupled with mobile defence, Spain has now re-emerged as a serious medal contender, and is the Athens tournament “dark horse” that should push into a top two finish in their Pool.
They qualified for Athens by an impressive second place just behind Netherlands as hosts of the Olympic Qualifier in March this year.
Players to watch: The tall and quick striker line of Eduard Tubau, Pol Amat and Santi Friexa will entertain the spectators as well as provide Spain with the weapon that should take them into the semi-finals. Deep defender Xavier Ribas shares the penalty corner duties with Friexa, with both having a very high conversion rate.
Expected to Finish: Top 4
Australians and Dutchies are harder to beat than Indians.
sorry, can’t resist… I was reminded of bonus point system in Asia Cup).