‘We’re coming here to win gold,’ says Argentina’s hockey captain Carla Rebecchi
Powerful women's team practise at Rio venue where they hope to go one better than at London 2012
Argentina are one of the most successful women's hockey teams in the world but Olympic gold has so far escaped them (Photo: Rio 2016/Felipe Varanda)
The Lionesses were roaring loud in Rio de Janeiro this week – Latin lionesses from the pampas of Argentina. The country's women's hockey team, known as Las Leonas, trained from Monday (16 May) to Wednesday in the new Olympic Hockey Centre in Deodoro Olympic Park as part of their quest for a first Olympic gold.
"We are coming here to win gold," veteran team captain Carla Rebecchi said. "The team is built on guts and dedication. When we are on the pitch, we give everything that we've got."
Argentina are the reigning Hockey World League champions but have never won the Olympic title. At London 2012, they lost the final 2-0 to the Dutch, who also knocked them out at the semi-final stage at Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004. On both occasions Argentina went home with bronze. At Sydney 2000, Argentina lost the gold medal match to hosts Australia.
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The Lionesses trained at the Olympic Hockey Centre in Rio this week (Photo: Rio 2016/Felipe Varanda)
Before the start of the Olympic tournament, the Lionesses have another date with destiny. The team will be trying to complete a hat-trick of titles at the elite Hockey Champions Trophy in London in June. One more win and they will become the country with the greatest number of titles.
After training in Rio, the Argentines said they had relished the chance to practice on the Olympic pitches. "It is very good and fast, one of the best in the world. We are very happy to have the chance to be here to try it out," Noel Barrionuevo said.
In their first match, Argentina will be looking for revenge against the USA, who unexpectedly beat them 2-1 in the final of the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto.
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Noel Barrionuevo hopes to steer Argentina to an unprecedented gold (Photo: Rio 2016/Felipe Varanda)
According to the official rankings of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Netherlands are currently the world's no.1 team, with Argentina no.2. Expectation is already rising as the two powerhouses prepare to meet again in Rio in what is certain to be a dramatic Olympic showdown.
See the full schedule for the Rio 2016 Olympic hockey tournament
