The Irish Women’s Hockey Team will be in the Qualification groups for the 2024 Olympics next January in either China or Spain following a 1-1 draw with Italy in their final game at the EuroHockey Championships on Saturday. Group rivals Spain had played Scotland on Friday and surprisingly lost 2-1.
This meant that if Italy won the final group game with Ireland all four teams in Pool C would have finished on four points. The goal difference advantage meant that as long as it was a victory of two goals or less Ireland would still win Pool C and secure 5th place in the tournament.
That in turn would achieve the two basic goals for Ireland from these games: One, secure Ireland a spot in the Olympic Qualification groups taking place in January 2024, and two, keep Ireland at the elite level with a place in the EuroHockey Championships in 2025.
The game ended 1-1, Ireland secured a point, winning Pool C. In addition, securing 5th place means that spot in the Olympic Qualification groups in January 2024 and a spot in the elite tier of European Hockey in 2025.
That is a vital step forward, as the team looks to double down on their first ever qualification for an Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Europe will have five teams at the Paris Games with the Netherlands and France already qualified by winning in Germany and as hosts.
This means that an additional three will go forward. Germany, Belgium, Spain and England are ranked above Ireland but this team will not fear anyone as they go forward into the next phase of qualification.
