The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were a games that will not be forgotten. With 21 out of the 32 players making their debuts and another medal for the Women.
The women’s side had some big shoes to fill after their historic gold medal win in 2016. The 2020 squad was made up of 16 players, 9 out of whom made their Olympic debut, and the squad consisted of 13 English layers, 2 Welsh and 1 Scottish player.
On the Men’s side, 12 out of the 16 players made their Olympic debut and the squad was made up of 14 English players and 2 Welsh players. The men’s Olympic campaign started off strong with a 3-1 victory over South Africa. The first goal came from Sam Ward with only two minutes on the clock, but South Africa levelled the score just a minute later. The scores stayed level for the rest of the first half. The second half was almost a replica of the first half, with Liam Ansell scoring within two minutes, however, this time there was no response from South Africa. For the rest of the game GB looked dominate with Jack Waller securing the 3-1 victory.
The second game, against Canada, is where GB men made it back-to-back victories with a 3-1 win. The first half was tense, with many attempts and some impressive saves from the Canadian goalkeeper, meant the score stayed 0-0 at halftime. However, in the third quarter Liam Ansell and Sam Ward found the back of the net and gave GB the boost they needed. Even though Canada scored a late goal, nerves were erased with Liam Ansell scoring his second of the match giving the GB men the win.
The third game for the men saw them play Germany, who ended their winning streak, with a 5-1 score. Phil Roper scored the GB sides only goal in the ninth minute, but the German’s quickly equalised making it 1-1 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw no goals from either side and in the second half Germany extended their lead making the final score 5-1 to Germany.
The men’s penultimate game saw them playing the Netherlands. The game was tense throughout the whole 60 minutes as they knew a win could see them in the quarter-finals with a game to spare. The Netherlands sored their goals in the second quarter and the 1st minute of the third quarter. GB turned up the heat in the final quarter with Sam Ward scoring two goals in succession, bringing the final score to 2-2.
The final pool stage game was against the Belgians, where GB had a first-half lead with Rupert Shipperley scoring his first Olympic goal. However a dramatic third quarter changed the game completely. Belgium levelled the score but Liam Ansell scored a minute later, giving GB a 2-1 lead. But, in the forty-third minute, Belgium scored again, which had the final score at 2-2 which meant the GB were through to the quarter-finals where they faced India.
The quarter-final proved a difficult game for GB, as this ended up being the final game of their Olympic campaign. For most of the game there was not much between the two sides, but India had the 2-0 lead at half time. Sam Ward helped put GB on the score sheet with an outstanding drag-flick which was deflected into the back of the net. GB were no match for India, as they scored again in the fifty-seventh minute, securing a 3-1 win which put GB out of the competition.
The first game for the GB women’s side was tense against Germany where Sarah Jones gave GB the early lead on her Olympic debut, Germany came back with two unanswered goals giving them a 2-1 win.
The second game against South Africa, started well for the opposition by securing an early goal, the squad fought back with Ellie Rayer scoring on the half-time whistle. The second half started stronger with two goals from Lily Owsley and Laura Unsworth, and ten minutes later a second goal from Ellie Rayer. This gave GB their first victory at Tokyo.
The next game, against India, GB carried on the 4-1 winning momentum, with Hannah Martin scoring two in the first twenty minutes and goals from Grace Balsdon and Lily Owsley before the half time whistle confirmed the second win of the tournament.
In their penultimate pool game, GB faced The Netherlands. This game was a battle for the full 60 minutes, with only a penalty stroke scored by Dutch player, Federique Matla, separating the two teams.
For the final pool game of the tournament, GB faced Ireland and with Susannah Townsend and Hannah Martin scoring either side of half-time, it gave GB the victory and secured their place in the knockout stages. Finishing overall in third place in Pool A with nine points and a quarter-final match against Spain.
GB met Spain in the quarter-finals, a repeat of the Rio 2016 quarter-finals, Hannah Martin and Grace Balsdon gave GB the lead, but after a late equaliser from Spain meant the two sides would head to a penalty shootout. Maddie Hinch made four amazing saves and converted attempts for Hannah Martin and Sarah Jones, which meant GB progressed to the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, GB had a rematch from the group stages, against the Netherlands. Giselle Ansley’s lone goal was not enough to ensure a win, as the Dutch side played a clinical game, reminding everyone why they were the reigning world number one ranked side, with the final score being 5-1. This meant that GB were not able to defend their Gold Medal, but they fought for the bronze against India in the final match of the Tokyo Olympics
A thrilling bronze medal match against India started with GB having a 2-0 lead through Ellie Rayer and Sarah Robertson. However, India had impressed throughout the knockout stages and proceeded to score three goals in 4 minutes, making the score 3-2 at halftime. In the second half GB stepped up and fought with Hollie Pearne-Webb and Grace Balsdon restoring GB’s lead, meant that the team earned a bronze medal after a tense and exciting 4-3 win.
