Irelands National Hockey Team (women) lost out on a quarter final place at the Europeans when they lost 3-0 to host Belgium this evening in Boom.

Ireland's Electric Ireland team will be disappointed not to have secured a semi -final spot but they still have plenty to play for with a chance to finish one above their ranking in this tournament (ranked 6th).

Ireland started lively creating the first two attacks within the opening minute including a penalty corner but Audrey O'Flynn's drag skimmed wide. Ireland felt their first test on 9minutes when a bobbling ball forced Gray to stretch on the right to keep the effort out but a penalty corner ensued but an on form Nikki Symmons knocked it out the circle to keep the sides at nil all.

Belgium broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute with a penalty corner, when Raes took the ball out past the Irish first runner to clean strike blasting through to the Irish net, Ireland 0-1 Belgium. Despite both sides securing two penalty corners a piece no further conversions saw Ireland trailing one nil at half time.

Belgium started strong in the second half securing the first of many penalty corners in the 41st minute but Emma Gray in goals showed fine form once again getting a glove to the shot to keep Ireland within a goal. De Vos for Belgium continued to cause problems for the Irish defence but a solid and brave defensive corner team from Ireland did not make it easy for the Belgians to convert.

Ireland looked to have a golden opportunity to level the sides when Anna O'Flanagan laid off to Alex Speers who upon rounding the keeper was taken out of it giving Lisa Jacob the chance to step up and take the stroke. The luck was not with the Irish today and Jacob was denied by the post and the Belgians breathed a sigh of relief to keep their narrow lead intact.

Belgium doubled their lead with a penalty corner dragging down the centre of the goal thanks to De Scheemakere's effort in the 56th minute. Belgium copper fastened their victory and place in the semi- finals in the 65th minute thanks to a goal from Coppey to make it 3-0.

Commenting after the match Coach Darren Smith was disappointed with the result but shifting his focus towards Thursday's game "We started the game playing some quite good hockey in the first half and we did some good things. But in the second half we didn't do as good a job as we would have liked; we rushed our outletting and turnover balls. As a result we had to absorb a lot of pressure and Belgium were able to pick off a few goals. We didn't do as good a job as we would have liked in this match and as a result the Belgians took the game away."

"We play Spain on Thursday in a very important match and we need to make sure we do well and play as effective as we can. It was a tough day today but we are looking forward playing on Thursday."

Starting XI: Emma Gray; Alex Speers; Shirley McCay; Megan Frazer; Lisa Jacob; Nikki Symmons; Audrey O'Flynn; Chloe Watkins; Niamh Atcheler; Anna O'Flanagan; Gillian Pinder;
Reserves: Cliodhna Sargent; Emma Smyth; Niamh Small; Naomi Carroll; Nicola Gray; Grace O'Flanagan. Nicci Daly
Full Results http://www.trifinanceeurohockey2013.be/index.php?websitestructid=297
EuroHockey Championships 2013
Get behind the Green Machine and Green Army as they battle it out with Europe's best in Belgium from 17th - 25th August.