In their first 5/8th play-off game France beat Czech Republic 3-0 and now lead the relegation pool with six points. They have secured their place for the next Championship, with England on four, Ireland one and the Czechs pointless and already relegated after just one year in the Championship.
The Netherlands will play Spain, the defending champions in the men’s final of the European Championship on Sunday. Taeke Taekema scored six goals from ten penalty corners in the Dutch 7-2 victory over Belgium in the first semi final after the Belgians had opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Spain opened the scoring even earlier in the second minute before going into the interval 1-2 down against the Germans. The highly entertaining game eventually ended 3-3 to force a penalty shoot out which Spain won 4-2.
