GB Women's hockey team lose to Spain in first Game

Great Britain women's bid to win a hockey medal at a fourth-straight Olympics started with a narrow 2-1 defeat by Spain at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.

Laura Barrios bundled the ball in to put Spain ahead in the second minute, only for Giselle Ansley to equalise for Team GB from a penalty corner two minutes later.

Spain were back in front after nine minutes courtesy of a penalty corner of their own, clinically finished by Lola Riera.

David Ralph’s side pushed hard for an equaliser for the rest of the match but, despite earning 13 penalty corners in total, Ansley's early goal was the only one they converted.


Chances from the field proved harder to come by, their best opportunity coming when Lily Owsley shot just wide after good work by Hannah French.

Great Britain can still advance from Pool B, with four of the six teams progressing to the quarter-finals, and take on three-time champions Australia on Monday.