There would have been massive disappointment when the 2020 Summer Olympics were delayed by 12 months, but hockey fans will be able to witness one of the most competitive competitions this year instead. The leading players in the world will be in action this summer in Tokyo.
There will be many gamblers looking at www.novibet.co.uk for the best odds for the summer games this year. At the sportsbook, customers will be able to find the best odds for both the men’s and women’s tournaments. However, which nations stand the best chance of picking up the gold medal in the men’s competition this year?
Germany
Only India have won more Olympic gold medals in field hockey than Germany, and they will once again be a leading contender to achieve success. Germany have won the gold medal in two of the past three Olympics, and they will be looking for revenge this year after having to settle for third in Rio back in 2016.
The Germans were knocked out in the semi-finals by the eventual winners Argentina, as they were crushed in a 5-2 defeat. They were able to at least get their hands on the bronze medal after beating the Netherlands in a shootout. It looks set to be a tough ask for Germany in Tokyo, as they will come up against Great Britain and the Netherlands in Group B.
Argentina
As the defending Olympic champions, it will hard to argue against the fact that Argentina are also a nation that should be taken very seriously in Tokyo this year. They were drawn into Group A and will face a challenge to get through to the quarterfinals. Argentina will need to be at their very best, as they will come up against Australia, India and New Zealand in the opening round of the competition.
The country’s success in 2016 was the first time that they have ever won the Olympic gold medal in men’s field hockey, and they were excellent throughout. They sailed through the knockout rounds with wins against Spain and Germany, before beating Belgium 4-2 in the gold medal match.
India
India have constantly been a nation that have been able to save their best performances for the Olympics, and they will be hoping to build on their performances from the 2016 games. In Rio, they managed to make it to the quarterfinals, before they were beaten by eventual silver medallists Belgium.
That highlighted a progression in their performances, though, as they finished the 2012 event bottom of Group B, as they didn’t even pick up a single victory. One part of their game that will need to improve in Tokyo is their attacking play, as they scored just ten goals in the six games that they played in Rio. It will be a difficult assignment for them, though, as they have been drawn in Group A, and will come up against Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Spain and Japan.
