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India's junior hockey teams concluded their European tour with mixed results, showcasing their potential and resilience. The men's team secured a thrilling shootout victory over Germany, while the women's team played to a 2-2 draw against Orange Rood club.The men's team, led by captain Vivek Sagar Prasad, faced a tough challenge against Germany in their final match of the tour. After a goalless first half, Mukesh Toppo broke the deadlock for India in the 33rd minute with a rebound from a penalty corner. However, Germany equalized four minutes into the fourth quarter, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.In the shootout, Gurjot Singh, Dilraj Singh, and Manmeet Singh converted their attempts, while Germany managed only one successful penalty. This gave India a 3-1 victory in the shootout and a much-needed boost after three consecutive losses on the tour.The women's team, captained by Suman Devi Thoudam, also faced a challenging match against Orange Rood. After a quiet first quarter, Sanjana Horo gave India the lead in the 18th minute. However, Orange Rood responded strongly in the third quarter, earning three penalty corners and scoring twice to take a 2-1 lead.Undeterred, India fought back in the final quarter and equalized through Anisha Sahu in the 58th minute. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, giving India a solitary draw on their tour.Overall, the European tour provided valuable experience for both the men's and women's junior hockey teams. The men's team showed their ability to compete against top European sides, while the women's team demonstrated their resilience and determination.

The Indian junior men's hockey team faced a narrow 2-3 defeat against Germany in a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire on their ongoing Europe tour. The match, played in Breda, Netherlands, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams.The first quarter witnessed a flurry of action, with both sides creating opportunities through penalty corners. However, neither team managed to break the deadlock, leaving the score at 0-0.The second quarter saw Germany take the lead with a well-executed field goal five minutes in. Undeterred, India responded with a penalty corner goal from defender Yogember Rawat, leveling the score at 1-1.India continued to press forward in the third quarter, earning another penalty corner. Forward Gurjot Singh made no mistake, putting India ahead 2-1. However, Germany refused to give up and equalized just minutes later with a penalty corner of their own.The final quarter was a tense affair, with both teams desperate for the winning goal. India had a chance to regain the lead early on but failed to convert a penalty corner. As the clock ticked down, Germany was awarded a penalty corner in the dying moments. They capitalized on the opportunity, scoring the winning goal and sealing a 3-2 victory.Despite the defeat, the Indian junior men's hockey team displayed commendable spirit and determination throughout the match. They will look to end their Europe tour on a high when they face Germany once again in their final match on Wednesday.

India's men's hockey team has slipped one spot to fourth in the latest FIH world rankings, while Germany has moved up to third place following their impressive performance at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers. India had already qualified for the Paris Olympics through an Asian Games gold last year and did not participate in the Olympic Qualifiers.Germany, on the other hand, went unbeaten at the Olympic Qualifiers in Oman and followed that up with two wins and two draws against Argentina and a young Belgian side during the Santiago del Estero mini tournament in the FIH Pro League to surpass India.Netherlands continues to sit at the top of the rankings, while Belgium holds on to second place. Australia has leapfrogged England into fifth place, while Argentina and Spain remain in seventh and eighth positions respectively.In the Women's Rankings, India is ranked ninth, while Netherlands remains clear of the chasing pack. Argentina and Germany have moved ahead of Australia into second and third places, while Australia is now fourth. Belgium has dropped a place to fifth, while England remains sixth. Spain has closed the gap to England thanks to a strong showing at the Olympic Qualifiers in Valencia, where they finished second to qualify for Paris.The closely contested nature of international women's hockey is evident, with less than 100 points separating England on sixth and India on ninth.