Memories of 1936 Berlin Olympics Hockey

No Indian will ever forget that it was a hockey champion. Though it was almost fifty years before i was even borne, those were the glorious days of India's hockey.
The 1936 Berlin Olympics campaign started nervously for team India after hosts Germany humbled them 4-1 in a practice match. However, backed by an in-form Dhyan Chand, the team defeated familiar foes Japan (9-0), Hungary (4-0), and the United States of America (7-0) to reach the semi-finals.

In the semis, they got the better of France 10-0 to set a mouth-watering final against home-side Germany.

Having already tasted a defeat at their hands, the Indian team were rightfully nervous going into the finals. The epic finale was played before a full-house of 40,000 enthusiastic fans. Amongst those present also included the dreaded dictator Fuhrer Adolf Hitler.

The Germans successfully containing Indian and Dhyan Chand to a sole goal in the first half.

However, India triggered an all-out attack in the 2nd half and put seven goals past the hosts, obviously leaving the Fuhrer furious. Legend has it that Hitler stormed out of the stadium witnessing his nation lose 8-1. However, he returned back for the medal ceremony.

While the Indian Hockey team managed to defend the title for the 3rd time in a row, things became tensed when Hitler called upon Dhyan Chand for a meeting in his ‘special’ private room.