Well this could become was a great day at the Olympics for team Belgian. 2 shots at a gold medal. One with the men's hockey team, just like all Belgian teams they do have a nickname which is the Red Lions, the second one at track and field where Thiam is defending here Olympic title in the Women's Heptathlon!
Never team Belgium did win 2 gold medals at the same day at the Olympics! Never was a Belgian capable of prolonging their Olympic title!
And look today, we took 2 golds and Thiam did prolong her title!
Hockey!
We aren't a Hockey land for sure. Or maybe I should say we weren't! The story of the Red Lions did start in 2007 when they did qualify for the first time for the Olympics! That when the dream of chasing an Olympic medal did start!
The hockey players decided to become professional and give everything up for a medal! But it took a generation change before that it really did result into a Silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics! This didn't satisfy their thirst for Glory. So they did start investing more and more companies where willing the support the next goal. A whopping Olympic Gold medal!
It is not that they did start as a huge favorite but as reigning World Champion and a bronze medal at the European Championships they did have a chance!
They cruised through the group phase of the tournament, Spain was a worthy opponent in the quarters. In the semis India was sent home.
The final was up against Australia, who were also searching for another Olympic Gold medal, the previous one was won at the OG in Greece!
The game turned out to be a nail biter for both countries. Belgium did score the opening goal but this one was erased by the equalizer early in the fourth quarter! After that both teams had some small chances but it went to a shoot-out.
This can be compared with the penalty kicks in football. Australia did win the toss and decided to start. Their first attempt was saved by VanAsh! After there were successful attempt. But, Denayer cracked under the pressure and missed. 2-2 with both 2 attempts left! And again a save from specialist Vanash and Hendrickx didn't miss! 3-2 lead with both one attempt left!
Australia did miss their last attempt, but the VAR decided to it had to be retaken! The Belgians were already celebrating and running around! So that was a harsh decision and it had to be tough to get back in focus! But Vanash again prevented another goal! And this time the decision was final!
I am not a real hockey fan, but like written above it was a real nail biter! The only time I did see a hockey game life was at the London 2012 Olympics!
Thiam!
The leading lady of Team Belgium! Together with a hockey player she did carry the national flag during the opening ceremony!
Here first day wasn't the best! But she was lucky to see another favorite for gold stepping out of the game! After the first day she was only at the third place! Probably she would have expected a better high jump where she did stay 10 centimetres under her personal best! After day 1, she was standing on third with 3921 points, surprisingly anothr Belgian at second place (Vidts) with 3941 points (she broke 3 PBs during the first day) and Vetter was leading the pack with 3968 points.
Vidt achilles heel the Javelin did cost here a bronze medal, but with another 2 PBs on day 2, she really can be proud at her performance!
With a long jump of 6.6m, she passed Vidts and was closing in a Vetter. While the closing 800m isn't the best of Thiam, it is still better than the PB of Vetter. So the Javelin would become crucial!
Both Vetter and Thiam did do excellent, but with a throw of 54.68m, she did put the heat on Vetter, who had to throw in the second group!
I do think that Vetter did crack under the pressure. She only managed to reach 51.2m, which is well below her personal best. So at the start of the 800m Thiam had a lead of 5 seconds and with a better personal best she should be able to cruise to gold!
And she did! Another amazing performance. Just like the Hockey team, she won the European and World Championship and can another Gold medal to her trophy showcase!
An amazing day for Team Belgium. To bad that 4 of 7 discipline took place in the middle of the night Belgian time! Curious if both, Thiam and the hockey team, can prolong their title in Paris, located in a much nicer timezone for me!
During the Olympics in London I also did see some Atletics. The women's high jump, the 400 meter men and the qualifications for the 100 m sprint with Usain Bolt! Will see if I will visit Paris 2024. Depends on the situation and if the kids want to go.
Team Belgium now has 3 gold, 1 silver and a bronze medal. I do think that will be it. Maybe the jumping team can sneak another medal, but we will have to wait and see!
Cheers,
Peter
I watched them both! Well deserved medals. I had a little heart attack for the Belgian team with hockey when the shoot out had to be retaken. But the keeper stayed very cool and collected, really impressive! And I think with the heptathlon (what a horrible word in English!!) the Dutch girls seemed pretty happy with places 2 and 3 so all good ;)