Spain Qualify for Rio Olympics Hockey Men's Competition
Spain finished fifth at the Hockey World League Semi-Final in Buenos Aires while Ireland finished fifth in Antwerp, however Spain qualify ahead of Ireland as they rank above them in the FIH world rankings.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed on Thursday that Spain men have qualified for the hockey event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Spain's Seasoned Strikers Present a Challenge)
Spain qualified after Ireland lost to the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the Euro Hockey Championships in London, which ensured that the only teams who can now win the event have already qualified for Rio through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals - the Netherlands, Germany and England (as Great Britain).
The winner of the Euro Hockey Championships will qualify for the 2016 Olympics as European continental champions, opening up a further qualification spot which Spain secure as the team ranked highest at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals not already qualified.
Spain finished fifth at the Hockey World League Semi-Final in Buenos Aires while Ireland finished fifth in Antwerp, however Spain qualify ahead of Ireland as they rank above them in the FIH world rankings.
Spain men join the nine teams already qualified for Rio 2016 -- India as Asian Games champions, Argentina as Pan Am Games champions and Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Great Britain and Canada through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals.
Brazil men also joined the line-up when their place in the semi-final at the Pan Am Games satisfied the host nation participation criteria established by IOC and FIH.
The remaining two Olympic places (men) will not be finalised until after the Continental Championships, the Oceania Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations, which finish in November this year.