25 years of the first medal of Las Leonas, the team that continues to mark the history of Argentine sport

On September 29, 2000, the First chapter of one of the most glorious stories of Argentine sport: The female female female selected, since then recognized as The Lionessesa podium went up for the first time to hang the silver medal in the Sydney Olympic Games. This was the kick for the great victories that would come in the following 25 yearsalthough to get to this first achievement, there was a long path behind.

The journey in Sydney 2000 began favorably for Argentine girls, with victories against South Korea 3-2 and England 1-0 in group phase. Anyway, the road quickly became adverse and, after the defeats against Spain by 0-1 and Australia 1-3 In the same instance, for an unforeseen error, they were about to be eliminated and turned empty.

With these results, Argentina He managed to advance to the elimination phase that consisted of grouping the best three in each area and then defining who would classify the final. However, There was a change of rules regarding the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games of which the Argentine delegation was not aware: the results of the initial stage against the rivals of the group that had also advanced (Spain and Australia) and Australia and They could only add to those of the other area (New Zealand, Holland and China). This way, To have the possibility of reaching the final, they were forced to win the remaining three duels.

THE BIRTH OF LASONES

It was then, in the duel against Holland They were born The Lionesses. The players decided to go to the court with an unofficial shirt with a stamped lioness and marked a before and after for the team. What came later, is history: They won 3-1 against the Dutch, 2-1 to China and with a forceful 7-1 against New Zealand to seal the classification to the long-awaited final.

Although in the defining match they fell again to the premises, at that time number 1 of the world ranking, that tournament meant a first step to mark the Rumbo of the most successful team of national sport.

The squad was made up of Magdalena Aicega, Mariela Antoniska, Inés Arrondo, Luciana Aymar, María Paz Ferrari, Anabel Gambero, Soledad García, María de la Paz Hernández, Laura Maiztegui, Mercedes Margalot, Karina Masotta, Vanina Oneto, Jorgelina Rimoldi, Cecilia Rognoni, Ayelén Stepnik, Paola Vukojicic.

It is worth mentioning that this was the first official tournament with the Argentine team for Luciana Aymareight times chosen best player in the world, and fundamental piece to explain the glorious trajectory of the team.

THE HISTORY OF SUCCESSES OF THE LEONES

Just two years later, the already consecrated leonas returned to Australia For the 2002 World Cup. With a slightly more experienced team, Argentina He shouted champion for the first time after beating the Holland 4-3 after the 1-1 draw at the regulation time.

This title was repeated in the 2010 World Cup, which was doubly special since it was not only carried out in Argentina but also in Rosario, where it is a native Aymar, And the consecration was in the eStadio Hockey World Cup that bears his name. On this occasion, the victory was also against the Dutch although the result was more loose: 3-1 for the locals.

In parallel, the Olympic history did not end in Sydney In these 25 years, the lions rose to all podiums, except in 2016. La Plata of 2000 was repeated in 2012 and 2021, while in 2004, 2008 and 2024, they managed to take the bronze. The gold medal in an Olympic game remains the pending account for this selected.

In turn, they also won seven times the Champions Trophyonce the Pro Leagueeight times champions were enshrined in the Pan American Games and won all the editions of the Pan -American Cup.

25 years after their birth, the lions remain as one of the best teams in the world – this year they finished the Pro League in second place and reached the World Cup final 2022 – and continue to add titles to a story full of successes.