Germans inflict golden goal pain on Great Britain in Nottingham hockey final

Scotland international Niall Stott was part of a bitterly disappointed Great Britain side which failed to hold on to a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2 to Germany in the final of the International Men's Four Nations in Nottingham.

Stott, again playing in defence, had seen the home team build up a commanding two goal-lead by the break with a high-class performance. Barry Middleton opened the scoring with a wonder goal when he intercepted a German pass on the edge of the circle and then produced a sublime finish, deftly chipping the onrushing German keeper. Shortly after, James Tindall doubled the lead from a short corner as the British dominance continued.

However, the Germans came roaring back in the second half with an equally impressive display to level the scores. The visitors' keeper had to pull off a save of the highest quality to foil Ashley Jackson just before the end of regulation time but it was Germany produced the golden-goal winner in extra-time courtesy of a short corner strike at the end of the first period to leave coach Jason Lee's men in despair.

England's women, meanwhile, won the bronze medal at the Samsung Champions Trophy in Nottingham yesterday defeating Germany 2-1.

Germany took the lead early in the first half when Maike Stockel pounced on a half chance to volley home a ball which had taken a high deflection off an English stick to give her team the perfect start.

England's best chances came from a Nicola White diving deflection which struck the woodwork and an instinctive save from the German keeper from a short corner just on the break.

However, the second half was a different story and England were rewarded for a much more determined display, which was also full of aggression, with second-half goals from Nicola White and Crista Cullen to secure a creditable third place.

Scotland's women welcome Ireland to Ireland to Forthbank in Stirling next weekend for a series of matches to determine which 20 players will head to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Dehli.

The capped games will provide the likes of Becky Merchant, Becky Ward, Nikki Kidd and Julie Bryce with the perfect opportunity to force themselves back into the reckoning after missing out on the World Cup Qualifier in Chile at the end of April.

The Milne Craig Western trio of Kay Bartlett, Eli Cockburn and Susan McGilveray will be making their debuts at this level.

Other names in the squad that may seem a little unfamiliar to regular followers of Scottish Hockey are Ralph and Wylie but these are the established players Catriona Forrest and Ailsa Robertson featuring under their married names for the first time.

The next decision facing coach Gordon Shepherd will come towards the end of August when the final 16 names will be submitted to the CWG Council of Scotland as the players who will represent Scotland in Dehli in October.

SCOTLAND SQUAD: K Bartlett, L Baxter, A Bell, J Bryce, V Bunce, K Cameron, A Clark, L Clement, E Cockburn, H Cram, C Dow, L Fawcett, S Hamilton, S Judge, N Kidd, K Marshall, B Merchant, S McGilveray, E McGuire, C Ralph, A Rowan, C Scott, A Walker, B Ward, L Wrightson and A Wylie.