White helps GB into semi-finals

OLDHAM star Nicola White and her Great Britain moved into the Olympic women's hockey semi-finals after easing past Spain 3-1 in Deodoro to set up a clash against New Zealand tomorrow night (at 9pm UK time).

Britain's sixth successive win of the competition was never in doubt as they dominated their opponents from the opening exchanges and never looked back.

Goals by Georgie Twigg, Helen Richardson-Walsh and Lily Owsley gave Britain a 3-0 interval lead, with the London 2012 bronze medallists in clinical form.

Britain went into the game as firm favourites, given that Spain only made the last eight after finishing fourth in their pool, but there was certainly no complacency on show.

Goal-scorer Twigg said: "It was a really good performance, especially first-half.

DREAM

"We kind of made it a little bit tense at the end, but to get to the semi-finals is a dream come true.

"We are taking each game as it comes, and we have won each one, so hopefully we can keep that going. We know that New Zealand are a challenge. We've played them quite a lot in the last year or so.

"We definitely want to get into that final.

"Four years ago, it was fantastic to get bronze, but we have come here to do better."

And captain Kate Richardson-Walsh added: "Overall, it was a dominant display.

"The first five minutes we absolutely went at them."