Cyprus too strong for GB in Euro 2012 qualifier

GREAT Britain handball captain Ciaran Williams admitted a lapse in second half focus cost his team dear in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier at Crystal Palace.

Cyprus took a fragile lead into the second half but held their hosts scoreless for 13 critical minutes, before emerging 24-16 winners.

Great Britain raced into an early lead thanks to two goals from Mark Hawkins but couldn't maintain their advantage, despite the efforts of goalkeeper Jesper Parker.

"We're obviously disappointed, as we played well in the first half and thought we could've gone on to win it," said Williams. 

"But we need to learn how to see a game out and finish the job off.

"Our defence was good and to keep Cyprus to seven goals in the first half was great. But there were too many errors in attack and technical faults.

"But this is a tournament, and we've got two more games to go and we're still in the hunt for our first competitive victory."