Scotland

MIKE STANGER

SCOTLAND'S hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the European Championships for the first time floundered after some questionable Belgian spoiling tactics in Leipzig yesterday. Belgium won 2-1, but it was a battling and brave showing by the Scots, particularly in the final quarter of the game, which consigned them to the bottom half of the tournament.

Scotland might well have taken the lead in the second minute if Dougie Simpson's effort hadn't just gone over the bar. And it took until the 20th minute before Belgium opened the scoring with the only goal of the first half. The Scots had several chances but, as the game wore on, the famed Belgian amateur dramatics saw the game deteriorate into something of a lottery.

Not unexpectedly, the outstanding Niall Stott thrived in this robust environment and, after Belgium had scored their second from a penalty corner midway through the second period, it was Stott who pulled one back within three minutes.

The Scots pressed hard for the vital equaliser which would have taken them into the semi-final but fell short.Scotland can still gain entry to the World Cup qualifying tournament if they win today's crossover match against France to finish in the top six.

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