Despair for Britain as hosts enjoy double win

There was a double victory for the Dutch hosts in yesterday's European Club Championship Finals. Bloemendaal, whose only previous success had been in 1987, eventually overcame Germany's Harvestehuder, for a 3-1 win in a highly emotional battle.

The Germans, down to a Maarten Froger goal at the interval, were on terms following a Florian Keller effort four minutes into the second half. Froger restored Bloemendaal's lead in the 44th minute with Karel Klaver cementing the victory with a minute remaining.

Cannock's indifferent European campaign fell apart when they allowed Pol Amat to score the first of his four goals in the seventh minute. A second goal at Egara's first penalty corner in the 12th minute from Jordi Quintana sealed their fate and for the second successive year the Spanish champions had denied Cannock a bronze medal.

Worse was to follow as Welsh international Paul Edwards, who had struggled with a hamstring strain throughout the weekend, hobbled off, shortly to be followed by their captain Andy Humphrey before the interval.

In the Women's A Division at Den Bosch, the host side retained their European title when they beat Moscow Pravda 6-0. Hightown beat Glasgow Western 4-1 to retain England's place in the A Division with Scotland being relegated to next year's B Division.