Greece, the host nation of the XXVII Olympic Games, was required to meet the qualification criteria set out by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The first option for Greece to gain a place at the Olympics was by qualifying for the European Nations Cup, held in 2003. Greece did not qualify for this tournament but there was a second opportunity for Greece to qualify for the Olympics.

This required Greece to beat the 12th qualified team of the Men’s Olympic Qualifier in a best of three play-off competition. Canada, the 12th qualified team at the Qualifiers, would keep its place in the Qualifier regardless of whether it won or lost against Greece, but there would be six places at stake at the Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Madrid if Greece qualified, rather than seven.

Greece participated under protest in the Men’s Qualifying Play-Off Competition held 18 and 19 February in Madrid.

The results of the play-off are: 18.02.04 Match 1: Canada 7 Greece 1

19.02.04 Match 2: Greece 1 Canada 3

21.02.04 Match 3: Following the FIH Tournament Regulations, as the same team won the first two matches, it was not compulsory to play the third match. The teams have agreed not to play the final match.

Peter Cohen, FIH Hon. Secretary General stated, “The FIH respects the Hellenic Hockey Federation’s right, under the FIH Statutes, to contest this issue at CAS and will look to this jurisdictional body to provide a ruling that will be accepted by both parties.”

For further information on the qualification procedures for the Olympics and detailed reports from the play-off series, see www.worldhockey.org.