England won an epic contest with Spain 4-3, getting the result they needed to advance to the semi-finals of the competition.

The sides came into the contest level on points, goal difference and goals scored with the only divider between them being field goals which went in favour of Spain.

As such, England required the victory but they fell behind inside 12 minutes from a thunderous Xavier Gispert penalty corner hit. Nick Bandurak equalised from a stroke but Spain went ahead once more in the second half via Jose Basterra. 

James Gall’s corner deflection made it 2-2 before an incredible run of three goals in 43 seconds. Sam Ward’s trickery in the D put England in front for the first time; Marc Miralles levelled from a stroke but Tom Sorsby made it 4-3 to conclude an emotional, dramatic run of play.

It proved decisive as England played out the final quarter well to get the win they needed and advance to the final four.

Nick Park said of the victory: “It was an incredible game! We did our best to throw it away but we really showed some resilience and that is a good sign going into the semi-finals. 

“We want to be in these games more and more and it is about finding a way to win and we showed that today, working hard for each other, left hand to the floor, keep them out of the circle and I feel like we did that today.”