Argentina Women's National Field Hockey Team
Field hockey is one of the most popular sports in Argentina, and the women's national field hockey team is considered among the world's top teams. The team, known as Las Leonas, has been a consistent presence in international competitions, finishing in the top three of every World Cup since 2002.
History of the Team
The Argentina women's national field hockey team was founded in 1928, with its first appearance in an international tournament coming in 1953 in the Pan American Games. The team didn't have much success at first, finishing in last place in that tournament. It wasn't until the 2000s that the team started to emerge as a global powerhouse.
Las Leonas first showed their potential by winning bronze in the 2002 World Cup. They followed that up with silver in the 2004 Olympics and another bronze in the 2006 World Cup. The team's breakthrough came in the 2010 World Cup, where they won their first world championship by defeating the Netherlands in the final. The team has since won two more silver medals in the Olympics and another bronze in the World Cup.
Players to Watch
Argentina's women's national field hockey team has several players who are considered among the best in the world. Here are a few to watch:
- Luciana Aymar: Perhaps the most famous player in Argentina's field hockey history, Aymar was named the FIH Player of the Year a record eight times.
- Delfina Merino: Merino has been a key player for Las Leonas in recent years, helping the team win a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.
- Agustina Albertarrio: At just 23 years old, Albertarrio is already a veteran of the national team and was part of the team that won silver in Rio.
- Belén Succi: An outstanding goalkeeper, Succi has been a fixture in the national team for over a decade and has won several awards for her play.
Recent Achievements
The Argentina women's national field hockey team has consistently been one of the top teams in the world over the past decade. Here are some of their recent achievements:
- Silver medal at the 2016 Olympics
- Bronze medal at the 2014 World Cup
- Champions of the 2012 Champions Trophy
- Silver medal at the 2010 World Cup (their first ever world championship)
The Future of the Team
As of 2021, the Argentina women's national field hockey team is still among the best in the world, currently ranked third by the International Hockey Federation. However, the team is going through a period of transition, as several key players have retired in recent years.
The team has a new head coach in Carlos Retegui, who previously coached the team to their first world championship in 2010. Retegui has said that his goal is to rebuild the team and develop a new generation of players who can continue Las Leonas' winning tradition.
Conclusion
The Argentina women's national field hockey team is one of the most successful sports teams in Argentina's history, with a proud tradition of excellence that has spanned several generations. With a new coach and a new crop of talented players, the team seems poised to continue its winning ways for years to come.