Men’s EuroHockey U21 Championship (Valencia, Spain)

France and England both finished their men’s EuroHockey U21 Championship campaigns on a high as they recorded big wins that confirmed their place in 2028’s top tier and a place at the 2027 Junior World Cup.

For France, they got past the challenge of Austria 5-1, scoring some lovely free-flowing goals into the bargain. James Liddiard and a Gaspard Denis penalty corner put them on the road before Benedikt Meisel put a brief halt to their rise.

But Oscar Delacroix’s goal just before half-time was the crucial one to make it 3-1. Arthur Plauche finished off a fantastic pitch-length move and then Floris van der Stok finished off the victory in the closing seconds.

England got the win they needed to jump ahead of Austria with a 9-0 success against Switzerland with two goals each from Kaden Draysey and Ben Walker while Caspar Lea, Jonny Sturch-Hibbitt, Lucas Smart, Toby Day and Samuel Dowds all scoring.

They finish in sixth place overall.