The second edition of the FIH Hockey World League (HWL) is two steps away from its culmination and the teams yet to bag a Rio Olympics berth are on tenterhooks.
The world hockey body has devised HWL in such a way that over a two-year cycle, it doubles up as a qualifying tournament for the Olympics as well as the World Cup. Teams that fail to get a direct Olympics qualification by way of being continental champions thus get a second chance by way of the World League.
Two semi-final tournaments of HWL serve as the qualifying event for the Olympics. Top three teams from each of those semis qualify for the Olympics as well as the HWL Finals.
While Germany, Argentina and the Netherlands have just booked their berths for Rio from the first semi-final held in Buenos Aires, 10 other teams will lock horns in the second semi-final to begin in Antwerp, Belgium, from June 20.
The Indian team, relieved to have qualified for Rio 2016 with Asian Games gold, is already in Antwerp warming-up for the main event. As hosts for the HWL Finals in December this year, India are also not carrying the pressure of reaching the finals.
India finished sixth in the semi-finals of the last edition of HWL, failing to reach the final.
But for many hockey lovers, the Hockey World League is still an unknown beast. So here's a quick explainer for them:
Tournament's Objective
Besides giving an opportunity to smaller hockey nations at a big stage, the World League is also an Olympic and World Cup qualifier except for the continental champions and World Cup and Olympic hosts (subject to IOC approval).
Competition Format
The League is played over a two-year cycle with four rounds of competition.
Round 1
FIH invites entries for Round 1, but teams from No. 1 to 11 in the FIH World Rankings get a bye to Round 3 (semi-finals), while teams ranked 12th and below get a bye to Round 2. That's how India, ranked 9th, are straightaway playing the semis in Antwerp.
The number of tournaments in Round 1 is not fixed and is dependent upon the number and location of entries.
Round 2
There are three Round-2 tournaments comprising 8 teams divided into two pools of four in each of those tournaments, followed by the classification games.
Round 3 (semi-finals)
There are two Round-3 tournaments comprising 10 teams divided into two pools of five in each of those tournaments, followed by the classification games.
Round 4 (Finals)
One tournament of 8 teams divided into two pools of four teams, followed by classification matches.
Qualification for Olympics and FIH World Cup
6/7 highest-placed teams (depending on the host also being a Continental Champion) from the Hockey World League (top three from both semis) qualify for the Olympics. These are apart from:
- Host (subject to IOC agreement for Olympic Games)
- Five Continental Champions
World Ranking Points
FIH ranking points are also up for grabs at the tournament.
(courtesy info supplied at www.fih.ch)
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