(5th-6th) Spain vs. Belgium: 2-5 (half-time: 1-4)

Both teams were probably not expecting to be playing for 5th place a couple of days into the competition. Spain had a remarkable recovery after a calamitous start, defeated heavily by Australia (0-5) and losing their captain Santiago Freixa and Pol Amat on injury. Lowly ranked Belgium also had two losses before pulling up their socks.

Playing without pressure, Belgium were quick off the block and stunned Spain in the opening minutes by Jerome Dekeyser, on hand at the far post to deflect in goal a hard pass from John-John Dohmen. Spain equalized by Ramon Alegre deflecting a perfect pass from Roc Oliva on a penalty-corner, but Belgium replied immediately by Tom Boon with a straight shot on penalty-corner. The goal fest was not over, and Belgium offered another spectacular goal to the crowd, Florent Van Aubel diving full stretch to deflect in goal a hard shot by Jerome Dekeyser.

The Spaniards seemed at a loss to figure how to stop the twirling Belgians, Tom Boon added another goal, picking up the rebound from his initial shot on a penalty-corner, and Belgium went into the half-time break with a commanding 3-goal lead.

Beginning of 2nd period saw end-to-end exciting hockey and the two goalkeepers were called into action often on running forwards. Thomas Briels managed to sneak behind the Spanish defense to add a 5th goal for Belgium and Francisco Cortes in the Spanish goal saved his team from further damage with a series of decisive saves.

Eduard Tubau pounced on a ball mishandled by the Belgian defense to limit their deficit to 3 goals, then Belgium cruised to spectacular 5-2 victory. They finished 5th of this Olympic competition, 6 spots higher than their entry ranking, an amazing progression. Spain finished 6th, one spot below their entry ranking, a relief for them after their rocky start in this competition.

(Yan Huckendubler)