Eight teams from six countries, four each in the men's and women's events, will compete in the "Gook Luck Beijing" 2007 International Hockey Tournament scheduled to open tomorrow at the Olympic Green Hockey Field. While in the women's event people will see a strong field from Argentina, Australia, South Africa and host China, the men's competition, featuring such a strong force as world champions Australia, will be contested among teams from Pakistan, Malaysia, Australia and host China.

All the participating teams regard the Beijing tournament as a good opportunity of warming up for next year's Olympic Games. Here they can not only adapt themselves to the Olympic venue but check on their training efficiency through a trial of strength with other teams.

For the Chinese men's team, which will make its debut in the Olympic Games as the host nation, the tournament provides a rare opportunity of actual combat.