France were denied a ticket to next season’s FIH Pro League in dramatic fashion as they lost a shoot-out to New Zealand 4-3 in the final of the FIH Nations Cup in Gniezno.

All the major action came in the closing quarter of normal time with the Black Sticks going in front after 53 minutes from Hugo Inglis’ brilliance on the right before finding Jonty Elmes, who volleyed it in.

France hit back with three minutes remaining through the inevitable Victor Charlet, who fired in a penalty corner to send the game into a shootout.    

The dramatic shootout saw Leon Hayward star with saves against Timothée Clément and Brieuc Delemazure to help New Zealand lift the trophy. 

Austria ended up in eighth place overall following a 5-4 defeat to Malaysia.