ARGENTINA: HOCKEY - Argentina looks to Pan American Games for men's hockey ticket straight to Beijing

Record ID: 444568

  • Title: ARGENTINA: HOCKEY - Argentina looks to Pan American Games for men's hockey ticket straight to Beijing
  • Date: 11th July 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE NATIONAL HOCKEY TEAM PLAYER, JORGE LOMBI, SAYING: "I think if the technical conditions are normal we should win, but well I say that with my feet firmly on the ground and with humility. I always like to face up to a rival even if they are a step down on the scale. I never underestimate them and I like to make a good win and make as many goal
  • Embargoed: 26th July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2EX4FR33PLOKI4VVWVUM6OD99
  • Story Text: Argentina eyes gold at the Pan American Games as the quickest way to get to the Olympics in Beijing next year. The Argentines are the men's field hockey defending champions going into this year's Pan American Games, and by all reports they are the gusty favorites as well.
    The Argentines are expected to make use of this Olympic qualifying round as a free ticket to Beijing, but there is no doubt they will have to get past Canada first.
    Argentina recently won the Champions Challenge against New Zealand and hope to continue their winning streak at the Pan American Games.
    Since 1975, the Argentines and the Canadians have been the only teams to reach the final.
    Player Juan Ignacio Giraldi told Reuters recently the Canadians will be the ones to watch out for.
    "Always in Pan American matches a team can come out and surprise everyone. But the final will probably be Canada, and maybe Chile but we are hoping it will be us and Canada. There are one or two games in the Pan Americas in which you can't relax - which is different to all the other tournaments where you can win or lose any match. But with all of the teams - Trinidad and Tobago, Chile and Cuba, or whoever - you have to play at top form so you don't lose your rhythm and make sure you get to the final in the best way," Giraldi said.
    Argentina, however, won't meet Canada until the second round. Argentina starts off in Pool A with Chile, Uruguay and host Brazil, while Pool B features Canada against the United States, Cuba and Netherlands Antilles.
    According to player Jorge Lombi, that should mean an easy first round for the Argentines.
    "I think if the technical conditions are normal we should win, but well I say that with my feet firmly on the ground and with humility. I always like to face up to a rival even if they are a step down on the scale. I never underestimate them and I like to make a good win and make as many goals as possible," said player Jorge Lombi.
    The Pan Am Games serves as the continental qualifier for the Olympic Games, with the tournament champion earning an automatic berth in Beijing in 2008.
    Top five places will get a second opportunity in three more Olympic qualifying rounds next year.
    Coach Sergio Vigil said his team is primed for big things this year.
    "This is a team that has been growing over the years. They have had some low points, but that has all been on the path to maturity. Thanks to that foundation work - that has been going on over time and with other players, many of which have stayed, and other coach teams - they have been brought together as a team that now has a lot of experience. But that is young, and now can start out hunting down the top spots in the rankings," Vigil said.
    The PanAm Games kick off in Rio on July 13. Some 5,500 athletes will take part in 28 different sports.
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