Australia and Spain to come to England

Posted: Saturday 21st March 2009 | 11:50

ENGLAND men and women's hockey will host two of the world's best teams Australia and Spain in four matches at Nottingham this June.

The men will take on the 2008 Olympic bronze medallists Australia at Highfields Sports Club as part of their preparations for the EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amsterdam this August.

Australia ranked second in the world, have three players who were named in the World Hockey All Stars team 2008 and will prove the ultimate test for Jason Lee's men.

England women will face Spain - ranked seventh in the world at the same venue. This will be a tough test for England and used as final preparations for July's Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy 2009 in Sydney.

"We are delighted that such quality opposition are coming to our shores to play our international teams," said England Hockey performance director and Olympic gold medallist David Faulkner.

"We envisage these to be the first of a number of internationals to be played at home over the coming three years and these particular games being played at Highfields is an excellent curtain raiser to next year's Women's Champions Trophy."

England's women will also face Ireland in two tests this April at University College, Dublin. The first will be on Friday 10th followed by the second on Sunday 12th.

FIXTURES:

England (m) v Australia, Wednesday 10 June, 19:30

England (m) v Australia, Friday 12 June, 19:30

England (w) v Spain, Saturday 13 June, 13:00

England (w) v Spain, Sunday 14 June, 12:00