Hockey: NZ thumped by Spain in opening European tour match

1.00pm

The New Zealand men's hockey team were thumped 7-2 by Spain in Barcelona this morning in the first of their build-up matches for the Athens Olympics.

Spain scored four goals in the first 13 minutes and added a fifth before Hayden Shaw replied with a goal to trim the hosts lead to 5-1 at halftime.

Blair Topping also hit the back of the net in the second half for New Zealand while Spain added a further two goals.

Despite the heavy defeat New Zealand coach Kevin Towns said circumstances leading up to the match meant he was not too distraught with the result.

"We just travelled 36 hours from Australia, slept overnight then played a match in 30deg heat against a team that prepared for a test match."

"The players were very tired and the opening 15 minutes we really struggled."

Towns was quick to stress that despite the match being accorded test status, they treated the clash as a practice match.

"We wouldn't accept a test after travelling half-way around the world.

"You have to be concerned when you let in that many goals, but when I sum up what we've gone through and the circumstances of the game I'm not surprised by the result."

Towns said one positive aspect to come from the match was New Zealand scoring from both their corners, while the players fought back valiantly after the opening four-goal blitz.

The result had not adversely affected their Olympic build-up.

"I'm not overly concerned. We've good games leading up to Athens and a lot of work to get through."

Meanwhile Towns received some good news on injured midfielder Ryan Archibald after he broke his leg five weeks ago.

Towns said he was on target to play a match in New Zealand on August 4.

"If he gets through that we'll fly him into Athens and then get him to play another match.

"It will be right down to the wire, but we're taking it day by day.

New Zealand's next match is against Great Britain on August 4 in Barcelona.

Score: Spain 7 New Zealand 2 (Hayden Shaw, Blair Hopping)

Halftime: 5-1.

- NZPA