Even the Queen could not watch - 10 years since Olympic hockey gold

Ten years ago, on 19 August 2016, Great Britain's women's hockey team clinched Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro. The match, marred by penalties against the Netherlands, was watched by nine million people in Britain, including Her Majesty the Queen. The Duchess of Edinburgh, a patron of England Hockey, was present at Balmoral, watching the game through a library window after initially being reluctant to view the intense final.

The Queen's presence in the drawing room, adjacent to the kitchen, was due to the pressure of the game getting to her. After watching the penalties, she had to step away, unable to cope with the tension. The victory marked the first Olympic gold for the women's team, and first for Britain since 1988 in men's hockey. Despite being the top scorers with 21 goals and winning all eight of their matches, the Dutch were the reigning Olympic and world champions.

The British team's unspoken belief in their potential, along with superstitions and routines, contributed to their surprise win. The team, including captain Kate Richardson-Walsh and head coach Danny Kerry, felt a sense of destiny, describing the victory as a dream that felt real. The win not only secured Britain's place in hockey history but also inspired the team to continue striving for excellence.