Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Australia
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The Hockey Champions Trophy was an important international men hockey tournament that featured the top ranked teams in the world. The 37th edition of this event, held at Breda in the Netherlands, was also the final edition before the tournament was discontinued. Because of its historic nature, the identity of the champion team is a common topic in sports general knowledge questions. This question asks you to recall which national team won that last Champions Trophy title.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Australia has been one of the most successful teams in the history of the Hockey Champions Trophy. In the 37th and final edition held at Breda, Australia once again reached the final and defeated India in a shootout to claim the title. India performed strongly and finished as runners up, while the Netherlands as hosts did not win the trophy. Brazil is not among the top ranked men hockey nations and did not feature as a champion in this tournament. The correct approach is to associate the final Champions Trophy victory with Australia and not confuse the runner up India with the eventual winners.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the tournament as the last Hockey Champions Trophy, played in Breda, Netherlands.
Step 2: Recall that the final was contested between Australia and India.
Step 3: Remember that the match went to a shootout, where Australia held their nerve and won, securing the title.
Step 4: Note that India, despite a strong performance, ended as runners up.
Step 5: Recognise that the Netherlands were the hosts but did not win the final, and Brazil was not in contention for the title.
Step 6: Conclude that Australia is the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think about how sports news described the event. Reports emphasised that Australia had extended their record tally of Champions Trophy titles with another win in the final edition, and that India had to settle for second place. The Netherlands were mentioned more as hosts rather than champions, and Brazil did not appear in the medal deciding matches. These references, combined with Australia long history of success in this tournament, confirm that Australia won the 37th and final Champions Trophy at Breda.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
India: Played in the final but lost to Australia in a shootout, finishing as runners up, not champions.
Brazil: Not a traditional powerhouse in men field hockey and did not win the Champions Trophy at Breda.
The Netherlands: Hosted the tournament in Breda and are a strong hockey nation, but they did not win this specific final edition.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose India because many examinees remember that India reached the final and sometimes forget that they did not win the shootout. Another pitfall is to assume that the host nation, the Netherlands, must have won the last edition, which is not accurate. To avoid such confusion, always recall match outcomes clearly: Australia defeated India in the final at Breda to lift the last Champions Trophy title.
Final Answer:
The national team that won the 37th and final edition of the Hockey Champions Trophy at Breda was Australia, so Australia is the correct answer.
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