London 2012 Olympics: GB men hold off Spain to follow women into semis

Great Britain’s men survived a tense finish in a 1-1 draw with Spain to book their place in an Olympic semi-final for the first time since they won gold in 1988.

They secured the point they needed to finish second in Pool A and now go on to meet the Netherlands in the last four. Ashley Jackson scored his fifth goal in as many games to give his side a lead late in the first half and even though Pau Quemada converted a second-half set-piece allowing Spain to pile on some late pressure, Britain can, like their women, look forward to a semi-final on home turf.

Unlike in their draw with Australia, GB were able to take the game to their opponents in the first half. A penalty corner effort from James Tindall 
rebounded high to Jackson, who took one touch but fired into the side of the net. Two minutes before the break Jackson struck with a low penalty corner 
between goalkeeper Francisco Cortes and Juan Fernandez.

The match almost turned on two penalty corners. Firstly, from the breakdown at another Jackson set-piece Tindall turned Barry Middleton’s shot onto the crossbar before Quemada beat James Fair inside his right-hand post.

Roc Olivia had another corner deflected wide as Spain sensed their chance and two minutes from time they won two corners in quick succession but Fair stood tall to deny Quemada.