OLYMPIC SPORT PREVIEW: FIELD HOCKEY SERIOUS ELSEWHERE.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Hans Wittenberg admitted making the U.S. national team was easier than expected.

A few years ago, when tryouts weren't far from where he lived, the Moorpark High graduate decided to give it a shot. When few players showed up, Wittenberg made the cut and has been on the national team ever since.

The relative ease in qualifying to represent his country comes from being a field hockey player. It indicates America's lack of interest in the sport and it explains why the U.S. did not qualify for the 2000 Olympics.

But as Wittenberg, 20, learned from his travels, field hockey is serious business in other countries and the competition should be tight in both the men's and women's fields at the upcoming Olympics.

``It's weird, it's huge in other countries,'' said Wittenberg, a goalkeeper. ``When we play here, no one watches us. Most people are like, `What's that?' You go to other countries and there's thousands of people in the stands. They're really into it.''

The U.S. only earned a spot in the 1996 Games because it was the host country, but most of the 22 teams - 12 men's and 10 women's - competing in Sydney have a rich history in the sport.

The Netherlands returns as the defending men's champion. Stephen Veen is a veteran of two previous Dutch Olympic teams and has the help of Martin Eikelboom and Bram Lomans in trying to secure the team's seventh medal in 13 Olympics.

India did not medal in 1996 but has been one of the most dominant men's teams in the Olympic history. India won 30 consecutive matches and six gold medals from 1928 to 1960 before rival Pakistan ended the streak with a 1-0 victory in the 1960 final. India's last gold came in 1980, but it qualified for Sydney with a championship at the Asian Games and has one of the top international players in Dhanraj Pillay, who was awarded India's highest sports honor in 1999.

Only India has made more Olympic appearances or won more gold medals than the Great Britain men, who have six players back from its 1996 team.

Spain's women won gold in 1992, and now its men try to earn their first gold after taking second in 1996. The Spanish men won the Olympic Qualifying Tournament without prominent scorer Juan Escara, who was injured.

Like The Netherlands, Australia medaled on both the men's and women's side in 1996 and could do the same this time. The men's bronze in 1996 was its fifth Olympic medal. It has the 1999 International Player of the Year, Jay Stacy, on its side and enters the Olympics as Oceania Cup champion.

The Australian women also won the Oceania Cup and know what it takes to win Olympic gold, having done so in 1996 and 1988. Alyson Annan, who was the top scorer at the 1996 Games, and Rechelle Hawkes are veterans of both gold medal teams.

Winning another gold will require staving off teams such as New Zealand, which never has finished better than sixth at the Olympics but won this year's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Great Britain and Germany finished second and third respectively at the qualifying tournament and The Netherlands is back after winning bronze in 1996.

FIELD HOCKEY

Competition dates: Sept. 16-30

Teams: Twelve men's and 10 women's teams.

History: The sport was introduced to the Olympics in 1908 with Great Britain winning the inaugural gold. Great Britain and India have made more Olympic appearances than any other countries. Women's hockey was added to the Olympics in 1980.

Favorites: Australia has dominated the women's side for the past decade and is favored to repeat as Olympic champion. The Australian men are also top contenders as are the defending champion men from The Netherlands.

How the U.S. will fare: The U.S. did not qualify in either men's or women's hockey.

Did you know: Hockey is believed to be one of the oldest sports. Archaeologists have found 4,000-year-old drawings of men playing a version of hockey in the Egypt's Nile Valley.

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Box: Field hockey (see text)