European Hockey Championships

Ireland were narrowly defeated by the higher ranked Spain in their second last match of the European Championships - making Saturday's final game against Scotland a must win for Ireland. Ireland are in the final stages of the competition along with Spain, Scotland and Belarus the bottom two teams of which will be relegated to Europe's B division (full league tables here http://www.trifinanceeurohockey2013.be/index.php?websitestructid=296 ).

Ireland secured the first set piece of the match on the 5 minute mark but slow shot effort enabled the Spanish defence team to see off any danger, a second corner followed quickly but this time Audrey O'Flynn's powerful drag was tipped around the corner. Spain enjoyed a spell of attacks including 3 successive penalty corners but Emma Gray in goals combined well with her defenders to keep the sheet clean. After 18 minutes Spain broke the deadlock showing pace down the flank leading to Bonastre picking up the pass at the top left of Ireland's circle for a good reverse shot home and a Spanish goal.

Both sides had chances to score before the break, Gillian Pinder with the strike for Ireland and Guajardo for Spain, but the half closed out still Ireland 0-1 Spain.

Ireland enjoyed their best spell of the match five minutes into the second half with chances falling to Anna O'Flanagan and Naomi Carroll after some good build up but an on form keeper kept Spain's lead intact. Ireland's defensive team were kept on their toes also with Cliodhna Sargent, Audrey O'Flynn, Nikki Symmons and Shirley McCay combining well to tackle the oncoming Spanish attacks. But with no goal of their own Ireland closed out with a 1-0 loss leaving them in a must win match against Scotland this Saturday at 8am.

Commenting after the match Coach Darren Smith knew this was always going to be a tough game "Today's match was a tough battle but we didn't have any surprises Spain are a good team, we are pretty evenly matched as we saw in World League 2 when we beat them 1-0 - there was always going to be a goal in it. We had some reasonable opportunities during the match but we have to take this loss on this chin and get ready and focussed for Saturday."

"Our job now is to get the girls up and game plan for Saturday. We will work as hard as we can to win on Saturday against Scotland." He continued.

Starting XI: Emma Gray, Cliodhna Sargent, Alex Speers, Shirley McCay, Megan Frazer, Naomi Carroll, Chloe Watkins, Niamh Atcheler, Nicola Gray, Anna O'Flanagan, Gillian Pinder

Reserves: Emma Smyth, Lisa Jacob, Nikki Symmons, Audrey O'Flynn, Nicci Daly, Niamh Small, Grace O'Flanagan

Full Results http://www.trifinanceeurohockey2013.be/index.php?websitestructid=297
IRELAND'S MEN will play SPAIN on Friday at 3pm