Great Britain’s men’s team face a probable showdown against India for a place at the Beijing Olympics after England’s failure to qualify for them at the European Cup. As expected Britain have to go to Santiago in Chile for their 6-team qualifier at which only the winner makes the 2008 Games. Apart from India, the recent winners of the Asia Cup, Britain will face Egypt, Bangladesh, Chile and Austria at Santiago.
2008 OLYMPIC QUALIFYING TOURNAMENTS.
MEN. (at Auckland, New Zealand, 02-10 February): Argentina, Cuba, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Trinidad & T. (at Santiago, Chile, 1-9 Mar): Austria, Bangladesh, Chile, Egypt, Great Britain, India. (at Kakamigahara, Japan, 5-13 Apl): Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Switzerland.
WOMEN. (at Baku, Azerbaijan, 12/20 Apl): Azerbaijan, Belarus, Chile, Kenya, Spain, Ukraine. (at Kazan, Russia, 19/27 Apl): Belgium, Chinese Taipei, India, Netherlands Antilles, Russia, USA. (at Victoria, Canada, 26 Apl-4 May): Canada, Cuba, Ireland, Italy, Korea (S), Malaysia
Reserve nations: Men. 1 Netherlands Antilles, 2 USA, 3 Mexico. Women: 1 France, 2 Uruguay, 3 Barbados
[Our picture shows England's Simon Mantell in action against India in this summer's Champions Challenge]
