Dancer happy despite defeat to Spain

Barry Dancer, Great Britain's coach, was pleased with his squad's performance in Aviles, northern Spain, in spite of a 2-0 defeat in the second of their two Tests, having beaten Spain 3-2 in the first on Friday evening. "After dominating the first 10 minutes we reassembled and played better than the opposition," he said. "We deserved more, given our opponents start. We have been more than equal to Spain for all but 10 minutes over the two games and we go away with a greater confidence than when we arrived."

Barry Dancer, Great Britain's coach, was pleased with his squad's performance in Aviles, northern Spain, in spite of a 2-0 defeat in the second of their two Tests, having beaten Spain 3-2 in the first on Friday evening. "After dominating the first 10 minutes we reassembled and played better than the opposition," he said. "We deserved more, given our opponents start. We have been more than equal to Spain for all but 10 minutes over the two games and we go away with a greater confidence than when we arrived."

Playing in their last game before the Olympics, Britain made a tentative start conceding a couple of early penalty corners as the Spanish sought to dominate the opening exchanges. Although the first corner was well saved by David Luckes there was no stopping Javier Arnau's low flick at the second 10 minutes into the game. Britain's fightback was hampered by the departure of Julian Halls in the 17th minute with a recurrence of a groin injury. Britain's best chance of drawing level fell to Ben Sharpe in the 60th minute, but Spanish goalkeeper Ramon Jufresa was equal to his powerful shot from the edge of the circle. With Britain committed to all-out attack, Pol Amat broke down the left to score Spain's second in the 68th minute. Britain successfully defended two penalty corners in the final minute.

GREAT BRITAIN: D Luckes (Surbiton); B Garrard (Surbiton), J Wyatt (Reading, capt), J Halls (Cannock), C Parnham (Cannock); M Johnson (Cannock), D Hacker (Canterbury), G Fordham (Guildford); B Sharpe (Cannock), D Hall (Guildford), M Pearn (Reading). Substitutes used: C Giles (Surbiton), J Wallis (Teddington), B Waugh (Southgate), T Bertram (Bournville).

SPAIN: R Jufresa, X Ribas, J Malgosa, J Amat, F Fabregas, J Escarre, P Amat, J Casas, J Arnau, R Sala, J Dinares, J Sanchez, P Usoz, B Herrera, R Garza, E Tubau.