Defending champions Australia will take on Asian giants Pakistan in the opening match of this year's men's Champions Trophy hockey tournament, at Terrassa, Spain, from July 22.

After the round-robin league, the top two teams play the final on July 30, according to the schedule announced by the International Hockey Federation.

India missed out on a berth in the six-nation tournament this year after finishing at the bottom of the table in the last edition of the annual elite meet in Chennai.

South American champions Argentina replaced India.

The other teams in the fray are Germany [Images], the Netherlands and hosts Spain.

In the women's event, to be held at Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from July 8 to 16, Germany will lock horns with China in the lung opener.

Argentina, Australia, the Netherlands and New Zealand [Images] are the other teams in contention.

Schedule:

Men:

July 22 - Australia vs Pakistan; Spain vs Germany, the Netherlands vs Argentina

July 23 - Pakistan vs Germany; Argentina vs Spain; Australia vs the Netherlands

July 24 - Rest Day

July 25 - the Netherlands vs Pakistan; Spain vs Australia; Germany vs Argentina

July 26 - Rest Day

July 27 - Germany vs the Netherlands; Pakistan vs Spain; Argentina vs Australia

July 28 - Rest Day

July 29 - Pakistan vs Argentina; Spain vs the Netherlands; Australia vs Germany

July 30 - 5th vs 6^th, 3rd vs 4th, 1st vs 2nd.

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