Scotland fought back from a goal down to defeat Wales 2-1 to win their EuroHockey Championship Qualifier in Glasgow and earn their place in the top division for a third successive edition.
Wales were bidding to qualify for the top tier for the first time since 2003 and they got off to a great start when Betsan Thomas broke through a couple of tackles to win a penalty stroke in the 18th minute.
Captain Elizabeth Bingham stepped forward to convert from the spot and the world number 25 had a lead, one which albeit proved to be short-lived in the teeming Glasgow rain.
Scotland struck back quickly with a brilliant counter-attack goal, Sarah Robertson working the ball along the right sideline where Charlotte Watson cut loose. Her pass found Sarah Jamieson in space on the left and her backhand shot had enough on it to make it 1-1.
And the game was ultimately decided in the 37th minute when Heather McEwan was the most aggressive in the circle, picking up the ball after some ping-pong off a pair of sticks.
It opened the door to shoot home for a vital 2-1 lead, one which Scotland held through to the end.
Czechia won a dramatic battle late on against Austria 3-2 in Glasgow to claim third place at the EuroHockey Championship II with their rivals taking fourth spot.
Anja Haselsteiner got the only goal of the first half when she finished off a neat move around the left wing from mid circle in the fifth minute.
It stayed that way until just over 15 minutes from the end when Veronika Decsy slotted in a rebound from close quarters for 1-1.
And the Czechs were in front for the first time in the 55th minute with another close range finish, this time from the second phase of a corner via Kateřina Bašova.
Laura Kern equalised once more from a corner move for 2-2 but, within 15 seconds, Czechia had their winner when Katerina Lacina set up Decsy for a dramatic winner in the 59th minute.
Final rankings
- Scotland
- Wales
- Czechia
- Austria
- Lithuania
- Croatia
