England

While England's women marched on with a stunning 5-1 victory over Germany, the men stumbled over the line against Switzerland yesterday, reviving their hopes of a top-four finish here at the European Nations Cup.

Saturday's effort backed up the women's 7-2 victory in the World Cup last year but, even better, it secured England's place in the semi-finals, where they will meet Holland or Spain.

Helen Grant began the rout, but three goals either side of half-time did the real damage, Mel Clewlow and Lucilla Wright hammering home corners and Leisa King scoring from open play. Jane Smith finished off a lightning counter-attack to add the fifth.

The men have really made things hard for themselves, their stirring victory over Holland long forgotten in the rawness of Friday's defeat by Scotland. Their 4-2 victory means they must beat Poland in their final group match today to reach the semi-finals.

Things started promisingly with Ben Hawes converting a penalty stroke and then Jerome Goudie popping home a corner rebound but some sloppy play gifted Switzerland a corner, which they dispatched just after the interval. Mark Pearn made it 3-1 but it was soon 3-2 and then Barry Middleton provided the fourth goal which keeps England in the hunt today.

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