Ireland faces Holland in EuroHockey semi-final

Ireland faces Holland in the semi-final of the European Championships in London's Olympic Park on Thursday. Holland beat Russia 8-0 their final pool game to top Pool A after Ireland drew 2-2 with Belgium to come second in Pool B.

Ireland recently played two warm up matches in Holland prior to the Championships beginning in London. They were badly beaten in the first match 5-0 but came back in the second game to narrowly fall 3-2 after taking a 1-0 lead after five minutes.

Ireland have never been to a European Championships semi-final before and in Holland face a side who were Olympic Champions in 1996 and 2000 and silver medallists in Athens and London 2012. They also made it to the final of the World Cup last year, when it was staged in The Hague.

Ireland play in the first of the two matches at 1.15pm before the grudge match between Germany and England in the evening session at 7.30 completes the final line up.

The losing semi-finalists will go on to compete in a Bronze medal match.