London 2012

Great Britain have draw world number one Netherlands, China, Korea, Japan and Belgium in th epool stage of the London 2012 Olympic Games hockey competition.

Germany 5
Tobias Matania (FG, 22)
Thilo Stralkowski (FG, 33)
Florian Fuchs (PC, 37)
Mathias Witthaus (FG, 61)
Philipp Zeller (PS, 68)
Australia 2
Chris Ciriello (PC, 18)
Matt Gohdes (PS, 57)

First blood in the Olympic hockey stadium: Max Muller - preparing for LondonGermany won the London Visa International Invitational hockey tournament with a slick 5-2 win over the world's top ranked side Australia.

A well organised German side rode the early Australian charge conceding only once - a powerful Chris Ciriello corner - although Australia had a penalty stroke goal overturned on video review. Simon Orchard's stroke was clearly dragged - so glad someone is FINALLY picking up on this!

After that, Germany strode to a 2-1 lead by half time, scored a fine deflected corner from Florain Fuchs early in the second half and looked pretty well in control.

See the gallery for more images.

GREAT BRITAIN 2 
James Tindall (PC, 35)
Rob Moore (FG, 57)
INDIA 1 
VR Raghunath 24 (PC)

GB's Best: Richard Smith, who along with keeper James Fair is PUSH's pick for GB player of the tournament - Andy SmithGreat Britain finished on an high note in the Riverside Arena with a 2-1 win over India.

There is a lot to admire about this young Indian side, but, once again, small mistakes at big moments led to their downfall. One of these was a foot in the circle just before half time which gave James Tindall a chance to put away a corner and get GB level.

For more pictures see the gallery.

This came after VR Raghunath put India ahead with a powerful corner in the 24th minute. Sandeep is clearly the preferred corner striker, but he spent so little time on the pitch against GB here and Germany on Saturday, one has to question his usefulness to the side.

London calling: South Africa goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse embraces head coach Gregg Clark as a delighted Marvin Harper looks on - STANISLAS BROCHIERSouth Africa men's hockey team head coach Gregg Clark said that the road to qualifying for London 2012 had been long and difficult. 

His team won the Olympic Qualifier Tournament final 2-1 against Japan at Gifu Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan on Sunday.

"I am elated and chuffed for the players, winning this final is a very satisfying achievement," said a visibly moved Clark.

For more images see the gallery.

Made it: Julian Hykes reaches to hug Tim Drummond - STANISLAS BROCHIERKakamigahara, Japan: The South Africa men’s hockey team beat host nation Japan 2-1 after the scores were locked 0-0 at half-time in the Olympic Qualifier Tournament’s sell-out final at Gifu Green Stadium Sunday.

Great Britain 2
Crista Cullen (PC,PC, 37, 42)
Argentina 0

Ouch: Crista Cullen scores her second - then crashes down injured - Andy SmithSecond half injuries to Great Britain's most potent goalscorers Alex Danson and Crista Cullen tainted a comptetent final win against world champions Argentina at Stratford's Riverbank Arena on Sunday.

Cullen scored two second-half PCs, and was injured scoring the second, in a game where Danson looked by far the best forward on the field.

See the gallery for more day four pictures.

The equaliser: A late Ashley Jackson corner goal earned GB a 3-3 draw with Australia, but the result wasn't enough for GB to make the final - Andy SmithSunday's men's hockey final at the VISA London international invitational will be played between the world's top two teams, Australia and Germany (6.30pm UK time), while Argentina and hosts GB will contest the women's final (12.15pm UK time).

The men's bronze medal game will be GB vs India (3.45pm); the women's China vs Korea (9.30am). 

Saturday's games went as follows (for pictures see the gallery):

Great Britain 3
James Tindall (PC, 19)
Richard Alexander (PC, 30)
Ashley Jackson (PC, 66)
Australia 3
Matt Gohdes (FG, 26)
Jason Wilson (FG, 35)
Simon Orchard (PS, 52) 

A draw was enough to put Australia into Sunday's final on goal difference. GB converted all three of their corners while Australia put away a couple of chances from open play and squandered a handful more.

Final bound: South African striker Lloyd Norris-Jones and defender Christian Minar of Austria race for possession - STANISLAS BROCHIERThe South Africa men’s hockey team drew 2-2 with Austria Friday but the result was only of academic interest as the men in green and gold knew before the match that they will face host nation Japan in Sunday’s final at Gifu Green Stadium anyway.