Spanish inquisition stuns Britain 8-1

Similarly, hosts New Zealand advanced with a barnstorming comeback against the Netherlands.In the last day of initial pool play, New Zealand trailed 3-0 against the Holland but salvaged a 3-3 draw, to consign Olympic champions Germany to the bottom four of the last major mens hockey tournament before the London Games.Germany could only manage a 3-3 draw against South Korea, not enough to remain in the elite group, while Australia thrashed Pakistan 6-1.Britain slumped to their heaviest defeat in the competitions history, found wanting under an unrelenting inquisition from a Spanish team determined to make amends for a disappointing sixth place in this years European championship.Coach Jason Lees side went a goal up through skipper Barry Middleton after 23 minutes but from there it was all one-way traffic as Spain tore apart the British defence.We were very, very poor... we physically and technically couldnt cope, Lee said, lamenting the way his team gifted Spain two of the softest goals Ive ever seen to begin the rout.Lee was upset not only at the lop-sided scoreline, but also the lack of fighting spirit his team displayed in their meek capitulation.The British have a great deal of pride and weve dented it quite severely today, he said.Spain responded to Middletons opener with four goals in seven minutes to lead 4-1 at half-time.After a Juan Fernandez fifth just after the break, Spain scored another three in the final minutes of the game to pile on the agony for Britain.Spanish captain Santi Freixa, who scored twice, said his team had brought an attacking philosophy to the tournament and were capable of beating any opponent on their day.Every day were growing and improving, learning from what we didnt do right the day before... today we showed were not just here to play in the tournament and were in the top four again, he said.The result means Spain join Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands in the top four group that will compete for medals at the eight-nation tournament.Britain, South Korea, Pakistan and Germany will join the best of the rest to fight over the bottom four places when play resumes following a rest day on Wednesday.Beijing gold medallists Germany needed a win against South Korea to ensure a spot in the top four.But complacency set in after they took a 2-0 lead into the break, with the never-say-die Koreans slamming home three second-half goals, requiring a Tobias Matania shot three minutes from full-time to ensure a 3-3 draw.The draw was not enough after Pool B rivals New Zealand, spurred on by vocal home support, staged a desperate fightback from 3-0 down to earn a 3-3 draw with the Netherlands.NZ Hockey spokesman Shane McLeod said New Zealands Black Sticks were determined to make a mark on the tournament on home soil.Theyve wanted to do really well in this, theyre up against really tough opposition and I think you saw the passion take over from the brain, he said.Pakistan manager manager Khawaja Junaid said his team, making their first Champions Trophy appearance since 2007, were still on a learning curve ahead of the Olympics after the 6-1 defeat to Australia. It will take time, he said.