Dutch hockey star receives her Olympics gold medal sporting two black eyes after suffering a sickening injury in semi-final win over Argentina

Joosje Burg suffered a sickening injury during Netherlands’ semi-final win
She was struck by a hockey ball which left her motionless, but then resumed 
The 27-year-old wasn’t involved in the final but later appeared on the podium

The Netherlands hockey player Joosje Burg appeared with two black eyes during the gold medal ceremony after suffering a sickening injury in Paris.

During the 3-0 semi-final win against Argentina on Wednesday, Burg was stood a couple of feet from her opponent when a powerful shot hit her in the face.

Blood rapidly streamed from the 27-year-old’s head and she was left motionless on the ground as her teammates and medical staff raced to care for her.

TV broadcaster Eurosport chose not to show Burg on the floor, such was the severity of the injury.

Staff held bandages to her nose to stop the bleeding and the game was brought to a standstill for more than five minutes.

Netherlands hockey player Joosje Burg appeared with two black eyes during the medal

Netherlands hockey player Joosje Burg appeared with two black eyes during the medal

Burg (centre) was not involved in the final win  but later appeared alongside team-mates

Burg (centre) was not involved in the final win  but later appeared alongside team-mates

The 27-year-old suffered a sickening injury during the women's hockey semi-finals

The 27-year-old suffered a sickening injury during the women’s hockey semi-finals

Burg eventually returned to her feet and, with the assistance of four medical staff, was able to walk from the field of play.

The Netherlands went on to defend their gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics as they beat China in a penalty shootout after the game had ended 1-1.

Burg was not involved in the match but later appeared on the podium alongside team-mates with her injuries still apparent.

The 27-year-old appeared with two black eyes which were still swollen, with a plaster placed on the top of her nose.

Her lack of involvement in the final may come as a surprise given that she remarkably returned to the semi-final game after being patched up on the sidelines.

‘We are the best team if we play at 100 per cent. If we play at 70 per cent everybody thinks, “Oh, we will win anyway”‘ Burg said.