Hockey: England fall in penalty decider

ENGLAND gave a disappointing performance against Spain in the semi-finals of the European Junior Cup in Vught yesterday, losing a penalty stroke shoot-out 5-4 after drawing 2-2 at the end of full time. This afternoon they will play Germany - who surprisingly lost 2-1 to the Dutch - for the bronze medal.

In a game slow to produce fluent movement in either direction, Spain were the more menacing in the opening exchanges, their speed on the wings creating problems for the English defence.

Although England were to take the lead in the 13th minute with a fortuitous goal, Spain were on terms within a minute. A long aerial ball from Jon Wyatt found Andrew Humphrey overlapping on the right wing and, as he cut into the circle, his cross was deflected by the Spanish defender Jose Moran past his astonished goalkeeper.

But the old cliche that a side is never more vulnerable than following a goal came true again: England's defence stood off as Nick Conway failed to clear, Narcciso Ventallo slipping in the equaliser.

The arrival of Phil Wallis for Conway and the rearrangement of England's defence, Rowan Davis moving to right-half, produced greater stability and, with Spain reduced to 10 men following the temporary suspension of Ventallo, England moved on to the attack again. After great perseverance, Simon Nicklin drove home in the 27th minute to put England ahead.

But in a second half in which they failed to take advantage of the extra man, England's passing and tackling grew casual and they allowed Xavier Arnau to snatch the equaliser. In the resultant penalty shoot-out Nicklin's shot was saved and Spain advanced into the final.

Earlier Scotland, with two goals each from Andrew Milne and Richard Freeland, beat Czechoslovakia 4-3. Today they play Wales - 2-1 winners over Switzerland with goals from Walid Abdo and Zac Jones, for fifth / sixth place, the winners completing Europe's entry for next year's Junior World Cup.

ENGLAND U-21: S Mason (Firebrands); A Humphrey (Welton), B Waugh (Southgate, capt), B Cope (St Albans), J Wyatt (Reading), N Conway (Doncaster), J Hauck (Teddington), P Gibbins (St Albans), D Woods (St Albans), S Nicklin (Slough), R Davies (St Albans). Substitutes used: J Wallis (Teddington), C Giles (Havant).

SPAIN U-21: A Gomez; R Sala (capt), J Moran, J Ejarque, S Torras, N Ventallo, S Navarro, J Vidal, A Bou, D Llanas, X Arnau. Substitutes used: J Romero, M Hofmann.