Champions Trophy: Indian hockey team takes on Germany today

June 10, 2016 08:16

Aiming to gain in confidence before the Olympic Games, the Indian hockey team will be eyeing a podium finish in the Champions Trophy, beginning with a clash against Olympic gold-medallists Germany in London today.

Launching their campaign at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre, India are seeking to add to their only Champions Trophy medal -- a bronze -- they won at Amsterdam in 1982.

On seven occasions thereafter, India have been edged away from the podium as they lost crucial bronze-medal encounters.

The last two Champions Trophy events in 2012 (Melbourne)and 2014 (Bhubaneswar) feature among the seven fourth-place finishes that left the Indian fans dejected.

"A podium finish is a realistic target we're chasing here at this Champions Trophy," said coach Roelant Oltmans as the Indian team went through its training regimen ahead of the German encounter.

"A medal here will be a big confidence-booster ahead of the Olympic Games," said Oltmans. "Rio de Janeiro is our main focus this summer and good results on the way will surely lift the team's morale."

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