Hockey: Argentinian attack overwhelms Britain

Great Britain lost 7-2 to Argentina in the fifth and final Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday, suffering their worst defeat since the 8-0 thrashing by Pakistan in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Great Britain lost 7-2 to Argentina in the fifth and final Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday, suffering their worst defeat since the 8-0 thrashing by Pakistan in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Losing the series 4-0 on the eve of today's announcement of the Olympic squad has no doubt posed plenty of problems for chief coach, Jason Lee, particularly as all seven goals Britain conceded were from open play. In reality, though, the result of this game is unlikely to have any effect on the 16-man squad.

Argentina changed their tactics for the last game and caught Britain on the hop. The home side were 4-0 up in the opening 20 minutes and were leading 6-0 at the interval, with Maric Almada scoring three times.

"We definitely learned that we are not a good enough team to compete unless we are individually committed and focused," Lee said. "But we also learned some important tactical adaptations that will make us a better team."

Ben Hawes pulled a goal back 10 minutes into the second half at a penalty stroke although Argentina's Juan Eduardo Garreta was quick to restore their six-goal lead two minutes later. Barry Middleton scored a consolation in the closing minutes.

On the results over the last week Britain will be pleased Argentina, although seeded one place below them, are not in the same Pool in Athens.

It was a home triumph in the Rabobank Trophy in Amstelveen on Saturday as the Dutch women beat China 3-2 in their last game to finish equal on points and goal difference with South Korea but took the title by scoring more goals.

Germany overcame a two-goal deficit in the opening five minutes to beat their hosts 5-4 in a thrilling men's final.

Rabobank Trophy (Amstelveen): Men: Final: Netherlands 4 Germany 5. Women: South Korea 1 Germany 0; Netherlands 3 China 2. Final placings (after six games): 1 Netherlands 10pts; 2 South Korea 10pts; 3 China 9pts; 4 Germany 3pts.