Born: 1978 (Mülheim, North Rhine-Westphalia)
Tina Bachmann (born 1 August 1978 in Mülheim, North Rhine-Westphalia) is a retired German field hockey player. She represented Germany in two editions of the Olympic Games (2004 and 2008), and also often played as a midfielder and an experienced central defender. Bachmann was also a member of the Germany women’s national field hockey team who attained great success in the mid and late 2000s, capturing three gold medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics, 2006 Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy, and 2007 Women’s EuroHockey Nations Championship.
Bachmann started playing field hockey at the age of five under the influence of her father, Hans-Gerd Bachmann, a former player for the West German team and 1978 EuroHockey Nations champion. She began training for the junior squad at HTC Uhlenhorst Mülheim, until she joined the Club Raffelberg Duisburg in 1996. Four years later, she was officially selected to the women’s senior national team and eventually competed in numerous field hockey tournaments across Germany and the rest of Europe.
From 2004 to 2008, Bachmann played for Eintracht Braunschweig hockey club. From 2009 to 2014, she played for the Dutch club Oranje Zwart. During her illustrious career, Bachmann participated in major international tournaments, showcasing her skills and contributing to her team’s success.
Bachmann made her official debut at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, where she competed as a member of the German squad in the women’s field hockey tournament. Collecting a total of two triumphs, two losses, and six classification points in the group stage, Bachmann helped her squad defeat China in the semifinals through a penalty knock-out. Later, she scored a goal of 2–1 to upset the daunting Dutch team, securing her nation’s first-ever gold medal in Olympic sporting history.
Adding to her list of accomplishments, Bachmann continued her winning streak for the Germans by taking home two more golds in the women’s tournament at the 2006 Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and at the 2007 Women’s EuroHockey Nations Championship in Manchester, England. Her exceptional skills and leadership played a pivotal role in these victories, establishing her as one of the key players in the team’s success.
At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Bachmann qualified for the second time as a member of the German squad and defending champion in the women’s field hockey tournament after receiving an automatic berth from the EuroHockey Nations Championships. However, unlike the previous Games, she and the rest of the German squad could not capitalize on their last chance for a penalty corner at the final second, and were defeated in the semifinal match against China with a set score of 2–3. In the bronze medal final, Bachmann and her teammates fell short, as the Germans lost the match to World No. 2 Argentina by a score of 1–3. Although disappointment surrounded the team, Bachmann’s contributions remained incredibly valuable.
Bachmann continued to compete for the German women’s senior team until she temporarily retired in 2010. Three years later, she sought her comeback and resumed her international career. Bachmann’s dedication to the sport and determination to continuously improve and overcome challenges set her apart as a true leader. Her numerous achievements and successful track record make her an inspiration to aspiring field hockey players and a role model to women athletes worldwide.
Awards:
– Three-time gold medalist at the 2004 Summer Olympics, 2006 Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy, and 2007 Women’s EuroHockey Nations Championship.