8 Aug 2010

Black Sticks almost make Champions Trophy final

8:21 am on 8 August 2010

The New Zealand men's hockey team has lost 4-3 to England in their final pool match at the Champions Trophy in Germany.

England now play Australia in tomorrow's final while the Black Sticks play off with Spain for fifth place.

Defender Shae McAleese is ruing the chance at a higher finish. He says with the other results, they could have made the final.

Australia remain unbeaten after beating Spain 3-1 while Olympic champions Germany's hopes were undone in a 1-0 loss to the eight-time champion the Netherlands.

McAleese says it's been one of the closest Champions Trophies in years.