England

By Bill Colwill in Barcelona

England drew their opening game 2-2 with lowly Italy in the European Nations Cup here yesterday, prompting the coach, Mike Hamilton, to say that his side "must pull their fingers out or they will get slaughtered". He added: "The experienced players must now stand up and be counted."

In a very disjointed and jittery performance, England dominated the early exchanges before drifting away. Indeed, only three excellent saves by Simon Mason from Italian penalty corners kept England in the game before they opened the scoring in the 19th minute.

Martin Jones, one of England's few successes, who had won an England penalty corner, was then on hand to score from the rebound after Brett Garrard's initial shot had been blocked.

England then lost their way, allowing Italy to equalise at a penalty corner through Massimo Lanzando seven minutes after the break. Although Garrard put England ahead from another penalty corner in the 49th minute, it was the Surbiton defender's careless clearance at a 16-yard hit in the 68th minute that provided the opportunity for Michele Cirina to score Italy's second equaliser.

England, who yesterday played with no authority and were unable to raise their play, will need to find something special for their next game when they play the Dutch Olympic Champions tomorrow.

Scotland twice threw away a two-goal lead against Poland before losing 4-3 to a last-minute goal from Piotr Mikula, the Polish postman who scored all five goals against Great Britain in the Sydney Olympic qualifier in Osaka when Britain were thrashed 5-2.

EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP (Barcelona, Second day): Men: Pool B: Scotland 3 Poland 4; England 2 Italy 2. Women: Pool B: Netherlands 7 France 0; Azerbaijan 1 Russia 1.

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