Gareth Furlong starred in a dream Olympic debut, scoring twice to spearhead Team GB to a commanding 4-0 victory over Spain in their opening match of the men's hockey tournament at Stade Yves-du-Manoir.
The 148-cap Wales international, who honed his skills at Cambridge Nomads, was joined on the scoresheet by Nick Park and Rupert Shipperley as Paul Revington's side made a statement of intent in their quest for glory in Paris.
Furlong, who only joined the Great Britain set-up earlier this year, has been making a rapid impact, showcasing his scoring prowess from the very start. "It still feels surreal sometimes," he admitted. "Things have happened so quickly in the last six months."
He added, "Securing three points in the opening game is crucial. Everyone was eager to get going, and it's the perfect start for us. The preparation has been excellent, with productive training sessions, and we've been building towards this moment. Scoring is part of my role, and it's great to see the hard work pay off."
The match saw Spain miss several good opportunities in the opening period, leaving British nerves on edge. However, a moment of brilliance from Park settled the nerves, with the defender demonstrating impressive anticipation, intercepting possession before calmly finishing into the top corner.
Furlong's first goal arrived on 16 minutes, firing a shot between the legs of goalkeeper Luis Calzado following a short corner. He repeated the feat with 12 minutes remaining, demonstrating his clinical finishing ability.
Shipperley, whose 14-week-old niece, Olive, was among the spectators, rounded off the scoring with a close-range finish. This victory marked only the second time Team GB had triumphed over Spain in eight Olympic encounters.
While hopes are high for a medal charge in Paris, potentially even a first gold since Seoul 1988, Furlong remains focused on the immediate future. "This result is fantastic, but we need to keep building throughout the tournament," he said. "We gave Spain a few too many chances, and Ollie (Payne) in goal played exceptionally well. If we want to reach the top of the podium, we have work to do, but we have the confidence to achieve it. We'll prepare for South Africa and build towards that match."
Furlong is one of over 1,000 elite athletes benefiting from UK Sport's National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, which provides athletes with full-time training opportunities, access to world-class coaches, and cutting-edge medical support. This programme has played a vital role in Furlong's journey to the Paris 2024 Games.
National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes, including vital funding for sport, from grassroots to elite. To learn more, visit: [http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk](http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk)
