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In a thrilling semifinal clash at the Paris Olympics, Germany rallied from behind to defeat India 3-2 in the men's hockey competition. The match swung like a pendulum, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience.India started brightly, earning seven penalty corners in the opening quarter. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted the sixth one to give India an early lead. However, Germany responded with a crisp shot from Peillat Gonzalez off their first short corner.The second quarter saw Germany take the lead through a stroke, awarded after a goal-bound ball hit Jarmanpreet Singh's foot. India fought back in the third quarter, with Sukhjeet Singh leveling the scores off a Harmanpreet deflection.The final period was a tense affair, with both teams desperate for a win. Germany regained the lead through Marco Miltkau's deflection, and despite India's best efforts, they could not find an equalizer.India's bronze medal hopes remain alive, as they will face the loser of the other semifinal between Australia and Belgium in the third-place match on Thursday.

India's hockey team, buoyed by their resilient performance against Great Britain in the quarterfinals, will face a formidable challenge in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics against reigning world champions Germany. The Indians, who won bronze in Tokyo, are aiming to better their medal color and make history by securing a silver or gold.India's quarterfinal victory was a testament to their tenacity and determination. Despite playing with 10 men for nearly 40 minutes after Amit Rohidas' red card, the Harmanpreet Singh-led side held Britain to a 1-1 draw in regulation time and emerged victorious in the shootout. Veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, playing his last international tournament, was instrumental in the win, making several crucial saves, including two in the shootout.Rohidas' suspension for the semifinal is a setback for India, as he is a key defender and penalty corner specialist. However, the team is confident in their ability to overcome this challenge. "We are focused on the task at hand," said Harmanpreet, who has been India's leading scorer at the Games with seven goals. "Every player stepped up and even until the last minute, we were fighting back."Germany, ranked fourth in the world, is a familiar opponent for India in high-stakes tournaments. The two teams met in the bronze medal match in Tokyo, where India emerged victorious. In the days leading up to the Paris Games, India played Germany in practice matches and won five out of six contests.The other semifinal will feature Netherlands and Spain. India will be hoping to repeat their success against Germany and secure a place in the final. A semifinal win would guarantee India a silver medal, which they last won in the 1960 Rome edition.