Nowhere to hide as GB crash out

ANNE PANTER couldn't hide her disappointment as Team GB's bid to reach the hockey podium ended with a whimper.

_{FIDDLE STICKS: GB star Panter sees her troops crash out in Beijing}

The British girls were bidding for a first Olympic medal since Barcelona 16 years ago - but when only a win would do in their final pool B game against the USA, Panter and co. could only manage a 0-0 draw.

Despite the must-win nature of the game it was the USA that dominated large spells of the match with only the heroics of keeper Beth Storry keeping the 1992 bronze medallists in the hunt.

Kate Walsh had a late opportunity to score from a penalty corner, but Britain otherwise rarely threatened and they will now face Australia in Friday's fifth-place playoff.

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"It is up there as one of the toughest games played in terms of emotions and obviously we are bitterly disappointed about the result," said Panter - who currently plays for Leicester.

"I think the USA have shown a lot of resilience in this tournament and grounded out a lot of draws and we defended very well and had a lot of opportunities.

"But we had a chance of getting into the semis so we are desperately disappointed - we really wanted it."

Team GB have endured mixed fortunes in Beijing with their opening game mauling at the hands of defending champions Germany a stark contrast to the dramatic comeback against world number two Argentina.

Panter, 24, then helped GB see off Japan with virtually the last hit of the match and she insists win or lose on Friday the squad can head home with their heads held high.

"We can play for fifth and sixth place and overall that is pretty good for us as we are ranked a lot lower than that," she added.

"We have certainly had some really good moments we were really disappointed with the first match against Germany but since then we've had some good results.

DANIEL SCHOFIELD in Beijing