Netherlands Secure Historic Olympic Hockey Double with Women’s Gold

The Netherlands retained their Olympic title in women’s hockey, overcoming a fierce challenge from China in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final at Paris 2024. The Dutch, who had been dominant throughout the tournament, faced a surprising test from China, whom they had easily defeated 3-0 in the group stages.

With just nine minutes left in the match, the Netherlands found themselves trailing 1-0, on the brink of missing out on gold. However, Yibbi Jansen stepped up to the moment, equalizing with a powerful drag flick to send the match into a shootout.

In the shootout, the Dutch team’s experience and composure shone through as they claimed a 3-1 victory, with goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal making three crucial saves. This win secured the Netherlands’ fourth Olympic gold in the past five Games, further cementing their status as a hockey powerhouse. The only exception to their dominance was a silver medal in 2016.

This victory also marked a historic achievement, as the Netherlands became the first nation to win both the men’s and women’s hockey golds at the same Olympic Games. The men’s team had won their final on penalties just the day before, making this a truly memorable Olympics for Dutch hockey.