As we prepare for the start of the Olympic Games in a matter of days, here’s everything (well, most things) you need to know about the teams competing. Today: Women’s Pool B.
Argentina
Head Coach: Fernando Ferrara
Player to watch: Maria Granatto
A menace. One of the best attacking players around. She’s won the FIH Rising star award twice (2016 and 2017) and her superb control, elimination skills and her streetfighter style ensure she catches the eye and is a nightmare for defenders.
A bit about Argentina:
The Olympics continue to be the holy grail for Argentina. They’ve won pretty much everything else there is to win, but have been runners up in the biggest competition of them all three times. (2000, 2012, 2021) and finished third twice (2004, 2008).
Argentina are fast, aggressive, exciting attacking team with some stalwarts like Rocio Sanchez keeping things tight at the back. Keep an eye out for their penalty corner threat in the shape of Agustina Gorzelany. Whilst everyone is already hanging the gold round the necks of the Dutch, Argentina might be the team who could stop them.
Squad: Sofía Toccalino, Agustina Gorzelany, Valentina Raposo, Agostina Alonso, Agustina Albertario, María Granatto, Cristina Cosentino, Rocío Sánchez Moccia, Victoria Sauze, Sofía Cairó, Eugenia Trinchinetti, Lara Casas Juana Castellaro, Pilar Campoy, Julieta Jankunas, Zoe Díaz.
Reserves: Clara Barberi (GK), Valentina Marcucci, Victoria Miranda
Australia
Head Coach: Katrina Powell
Player to watch:
Jane Claxton – A leader for the Hockeyroos, her experience will be vital to their chances. One of the most capped current players with over 200 appearances to her name.
A bit about Australia.
The Hockeyroos’ pedigree in this competition is right up there, with three Olympic gold medals (1988, 1996, 2000) but it’s been a long wait for that fourth gold. They have a good squad with some fine players in it. Brooke Peris’ experience and tenacity will be useful and in Jocelyn Bartram they have one of the best goalkeepers around. There has been a slight distraction in the lead up with the noise around Rosie Malone’s non-selection (you can listen to a very good podcast about that, here) and subsequent appeal but they will be hoping to put that behind them and to fight for that place on the podium.
Squad: Claire Colwill, Brooke Peris, Amy Lawton, Grace Young, Penny Squibb, Alice Arnott, Stephanie Kershaw, Kaitlin Nobbs, Jane Claxton, Jocelyn Bartram, Karri Somerville, Renee Taylor, Tatum Stewart, Mariah Williams, Rebecca Greiner, Grace Stewart.
Reserves: Maddison Brooks, Aleisha Power (GK), Harriet Shand.
Great Britain.
Head Coach: David Ralph
Player to watch:
Lily Owsley. A highly decorated athlete with gold medals in the Olympics, the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games, not to mention a World Young Player of the Year title in her trophy cabinet. Owsley, heading to her third Olympics is a threat to any team. When she gets the ball and takes teams on at pace there are few more frightening players in world hockey. If Owsley is on song Great Britain could be dangerous.
A bit about Great Britain:
Great Britain are a bit of an enigma. Some of their performances in the FIH Pro League were not up to standard and they finished a lowly third from bottom. And yet, and yet, they have a habit of putting the rest of the Olympic cycle behind them and peaking at just the right time. Bronze in 2012, Gold in 2016 and bronze again in 2020 suggests they have what it takes to find their way on to the podium again – despite their patchy Pro League form. They have some stellar players in Laura Roper, Hannah French and Hollie Pearne-Webb, but predicting what they’ll do is very difficult.
Squad: Laura Roper, Anna Toman, Hannah French, Sarah Jones, Amy Costello, Sarah Robertson, Charlotte Watson, Tess Howard, Izzy Petter, Giselle Ansley, Hollie Pearne Webb, Fiona Crackles, Lily Owsley, Sophie Hamilton, Flora Peel, Miriam Pritchard.
Reserves: Grace Balsdon, Jess Buchanan, Lily Walker.
South Africa.
Head Coach: Giles Bonnet
Player to watch:
Qanita Bobbs.
With almost 200 caps, Bobbs is one of the most experienced members of the South Africa squad, she made her debut back in 2011 at the age of just 18 and has played in three World Cups, three Commonwealth Games, and two Olympic Games (this will be her third Olympics.) She’s a dedicated, lively and skilful performer and will likely provide some of South Africa’s brighter moments at the tournament.
A bit about South Africa:
Giles Bonnet will become the first coach to lead the team to the games twice having previously overseen the SA Women’s team at the London 2012 Olympic Games. It’s fair to say he’s seen plenty in his coaching career and will know what it’s all about at these games. The squad features six players that played at the 2021 Olympics, (Quanita Bobbs, Celia Seerane, Edith Molikoe, Kristen Paton, Onthatile Zulu and Erin Christie) whilst Dirkie Chamberlain returns for her second Olympic games having played in 2012. It’s fair to say there’s plenty of experience in the group, but whether they can translate their form from the African qualifiers, where they scored 30 goals and conceded zero in four games to causing problems for stronger and better equipped nations remains to be seen.
Squad: Anelle van Deventer, Celia Seerane, Stephanie Botha, Edith Molikoe, Kristen Paton, Onthatile Zulu, Dirkie Chamberlain, Paris-Gail Isaacs, Taheera Augousti, Erin Christie, Ntsopa Mokoena, Hannah Pearce, Ongeziwe Mali, Marié Louw, Kayla de Waal, Quanita Bobbs.
Reserves: Aphiwe Dimba (GK) Kayla Swarts.
Spain
Head Coach: Carlos Garcia Cuenca
Player to watch:
Lola Riera.
Spain have some lovely skillful, direct attacking options in their ranks but Lola Riera could be absolutely pivotal to their chances. International matches are defined by fine margins and if Spain can get Riera, the top scorer at the FIH Nations Cup, firing from penalty corners, she could be the difference between success and failure.
A bit about Spain:
It’s been a transitional time for Spain since coach Adrian Lock moved on, but they are definitely starting to show what they’re all about under Carlos Garcia Cuenca. They secured their qualification for the Olympics after topping a pool which contained Great Britain – who they beat 1-0 in the pool stage and then they took out Ireland in the semi-finl of the qualifiers with a nervless display in the shootout. Spain also clinched promotion back to the Pro League by winning the Hockey Nations Cup, again seeing off Ireland with a 2-0 win in the final. They are at times very direct and pacy in attack. They may be hard to predict but if teams take them lightly they could be a real danger.
Squad: Laura Barrios, Sara Barrios, Julia Strappato, Lucia Jimenez, Maria Lopez, Belen Iglesias, Marta Segu, Constanza Amundson, Blanca Perez, Lola Riera, Begona Garcia, Zantal Gine, Beatriz Perez, Alejandra Torres Quevedo, Clara Perez, Patricia Alvarez.
Reserves: Clara Badia, Maria Tello, Laia Vidosa.
United States
Head Coach: David Passmore
Player to watch:
Ashley Hoffman.
I almost went for Kelsey Bing here but didn’t want to be accused of goalkeeper bias. To be fair, Hoffman is a heck of a player. Daughter of 1984 Olympic bronze medallist Brenda Hoffman (née Stauffer), Ashley Hoffman will dictate the USA’s attacking patterns and break lines as they attempt to drive forwards.
A bit about USA:
Perhaps a surprise package to reach the games from an Olympic Qualifying tournament which featured India, Japan and Germany, amongst others. Under David Passmore the USA made themselves difficult to break down and defensively solid – conceding just three goals in the entire qualifying tournament. That defensive record was in part due to the incredible performances of goalkeeper Kelsey Bing but also a great team effort. Whilst the Pro League has at times been a struggle for them (they finished bottom) they did put in some good performances, not least the 3-1 win over Great Britain in their final game. I don’t seem them emulating the 1984 bronze medal winning side, but will watch them with interest, if only for the chance to make the “Yaeger bomb” joke when Elizabeth Yaeger finds the net.
Squad: Abigail Tamer, Ashley Sessa, Megan Valzonis, Brooke DeBerdine, Maddie Zimmer, Amanda Golini, Ashley Hoffman, Elizabeth Yeager, Leah Crouse, Alexandra Hammel, Phia Gladieux, Kelee Lepage, Karlie Kisha, Emma DeBerdine, Kelsey Bing, Meredith Sholder.
Reserves: Sanne Caarls, Jenny Rizzo (GK), Cassie Sumfest.
The Top of the D 