Australia won the Olympic men's hockey tournament for the first time in history on Friday, beating the Netherlands 2-1 with a golden goal.

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Australia had previously won three silvers and three bronzes but the gold remained elusive until young striker Jamie Dwyer fired in a penalty-corner in extra-time.

The Australians came to Athens determined to get their first gold and came out fighting for all they were worth in the final. But it was the Netherlands, the defending champions, who scored first with a stunning run from Ronald Brouwer.

At the start of the second half, Travis Brooks knocked in an equaliser but nobody else found goal until towards the end of the first half of extra-time when Australia won a penalty-corner.

Dwyer, one of the most impressive scorers in the tournament, calmly ran up and hammered the ball into the net, putting Australia on top of the podium for the first time.

Earlier, World champions Germany won the bronze medal, beating Spain 4-3 with a golden goal from Bjoern Michel who was playing in his last international.