Hockey: Spain rein in England

BILL COLWILL

reports from Amstelveen

England 1 Spain 3 Spain, the Olympic champions, moved confidently into the final of the NCM Women's European Cup here in the Netherlands last night at the expense of a hesitant England who will now have to lift themselves for a bronze medal game tomorrow.

Although impressive in the opening exchanges, England quickly lost direction with the Spanish exploiting England's slowness in defence. When England attacked they faced a well organised Spanish defence.

The Spanish took the lead after 26 minutes when Natalia Dorado converted a penalty corner. Midway through the second half they increased their lead as Maider Telleria scored her seventh penalty stroke of the tournament from the penalty spot.

Feito collected Spain's third on the break before England's captain, Sandie Lister, making her 150th appearance for her country, scored a consolation.

ENGLAND: J Thompson (lpswich); J Atkins (Bradford Swithenbank); S Lister (capt) (Ipswich), C Cook (Hightown), L Cope (Balsam Leicester); M Davies (First Personnel Sutton Coldfield), K Brown (Slough), T Miller (Clifton); J Sixsmith (First Personnel Sutton Coldfield), M Nicholls (Slough), A Bennett (Slough). Substitutes used: T Cullen (Hightown) and F Lee (Hightown).

SPAIN: M Marinez de Murguia; C Barea; S De Ignacio, E Urquizu, M Hernandez; N Dorado (capt), M Telleria, B Larzabal; L Lopez, S Barrio, M Feito. Substitute used: M Gabellanes.

Umpires: U Lowenstein (Ger) and E Rutten (Neth).