Germany: A two-year old team of young players. Play with machine-like efficiency and can't be written off. Masters of the long ball and set-pieces, but suspect when pitted against a highly skilful team. India has often proved to be their bogey. Noted for consistency rather than flamboyance. Depend a lot on Carsten Fischer and forward Andreas Becker. Semi-finalists since 1968 (did not participate in 1980). Best performance: Gold in '72 and '92.
Pakistan: Without a good preparation, raked by dissension and revolt, Pakistan will be starting out on the wrong foot. It will miss Shahbaz Ahmed, the mainstay and inspirational leader. Yet to find a suitable replacement for Akhtar Rasool who retired 14 years ago and still weak in midfield play. A young team and short on experience which might go against them. Best performance: Gold in '60, '68 and '84.
Australia: The best team never to win an Olympic gold. Aggressive and quick on counterattack marked by the individual flair of a Mark Hager or Jay Stacy. Solid in the defence and midfield. Playing style is a beautiful blend of the best of European and Asian. Very low in turning back when counter-attacked, but have the ability to fulfill the 'Olympic dream' at Atlanta. Best performance: Silver in '68, '76 and '92.
The Netherlands: The penalty corner specialists. Like Australia, yet to win a gold. Effective playing style with rigid set-piece play. Cautious in approach but aggressive on the attack. Dependence on penalty corner conversions too obvious. Presence of the 'deadly duo', Floris Bovelander and Taco Van Den Honert, gives them a decisive edge. Have stayed in the 1-4 bracket in the past decade. Best performance: Bronze in '36, '48 and '88.
Great Britain: Surprise gold medal winners at Seoul in '88. The retirements of goalkeeper Ian Taylor and forward Sean Kerly have created a massive void. The services of David Whitaker, arguably the best coach in the world has been of little help to a side bereft of talent. Occasional flash of brilliance has helped them pull off a surprise or two. The sudden 'walkout' of Whitaker in May is a terrible setback from which the team might not recover in time. Best performance: Gold in 1908, '20 and '88.
South Korea: The surprise package and one of the most improved teams. Shot to fame in '86 by winning Asian Games gold at home, a feat they repeated in '94 at Hiroshima, Japan. Fit and fast, can trouble the best on their day, but suspect temperament and concentration. Regimented style of play has been their undoing. Little scope for individual flair. But certainly, a team to be reckoned with. In other words, the dark horse. Best performance: 10th in '88 (on debut).
