Preview Day 1 – Women – Pool A

> Germany and Great Britain have met three times before at the Olympics. In the 1992 semi-finals and the 2000 Final 7-8 Germany beat Great Britain. At Atlanta 1996 Britain beat Germany 3-2.
> Reigning Olympic Champions Germany aim to become the second nation after Australia (in 2000) to successfully defend their Olympic title.
> Six players return from the golden Athens squad: Anke Kühn, Fanny Rinne, Mandy Haase, Marion Rodewald, Natascha Keller and Tina Bachmann.
> Germany qualified as EuroHockey Nations Champions.
> Germany have been present at every Olympic tournament since they made their debut in 1992.
> Germany's biggest win in Olympic history came against Great Britain (2-0 in 2000).
> Great Britain qualified when England claimed bronze at the EuroHockey Nations Championship.
> Great Britain have finished in the top four in four out of five previous Olympic participations.
> 17-year-old Charlotte Craddock (GBR) is the youngest female hockey player at Beijing 2008.

Australia v Korea

> Australia are unbeaten in 6 Olympic matches against Korea, recording 3 wins and 3 draws.
> On average Australia have scored 3 goals per match against Korea in Olympic competition.
> Australia and Korea's last meeting came at the 2006 World Cup, when Australia beat Korea 4-3.
> Australia qualified for Beijing 2008 by finishing second at the Oceania Cup.
> Australia have been present at every Olympic tournament since their debut in 1984.
> Korea qualified for Beijing 2008 by winning the Olympic Qualifying tournament in Victoria, Canada.
> Korea have been present at every Olympic tournament since their debut at Seoul 1988.
> Nikki Hudson has already scored 6 times for Australia in Olympic competition. Only three Australian players have score more Olympic goals: Alyson Annan (13), Katrina Powell (12) and Jenny Morris (7).
> The Korean squad includes only 5 players with previous Olympic experience. Captain Lee Seon-Ok, Kim Jin-Kyoung, Park Jeong-Sook, Park Mi-Hyun and Kim Mi-Seon were all present at Athens 2004.

Netherlands v South Africa

> The Netherlands are unbeaten against South Africa in Olympic competition, recording a win (6-2 in 2004) and a draw (2-2 in 2000).
> The 6-2 win over South Africa in 2004 marks the biggest victory for the Dutch in Olympic history.
> The Netherlands have been present at every Olympic tournament since their debut in 1984.
> The Netherlands have won 5 Olympic medals: 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze, more than any other country.
> Netherland qualified by finishing second at the EuroHockey Nations Championship.
> South Africa qualified for Beijing 2008 as Champions of the African Olympic Qualification Tournament.
> South Arica will make their third successive Olympic appearance. In 2000 they reached 10th place, in 2004 they finished ninth.
> Marilyn Agliotti of the Netherlands played in all 6 of South Africa's games at Sydney 2000, including the match against the Dutch (2-2).
> Jenny King is the only female hockey coach leading an Olympic squad at Beijing 2008.