HOCKEY: "Astounding," said a near-speechless Stephen Watt, coach of the Irish under-18 boys team, after watching his team trounce hosts Spain 6-1 in the European Nations Cup in Barcelona yesterday.

The result guarantees Ireland, defending champions in the tournament, a bronze medal, leaves them within a hair's-breadth of silver, and might even prove to be enough to win gold.

Holland must beat Ireland by five clear goals today to deny them first place in the tournament, with Spain needing to defeat Belgium by a greater margin to do the same.

Captain Mark Gleghorne, as he did against Russia on Monday, scored a hat-trick, bringing his tally in the tournament to nine goals in four games. "He leads from the front, he's an inspiration as a captain, in his general play and his conduct off the pitch," said Watt of the Ulster player. "His ability to seize the moment, though, is probably his greatest quality."

Gleghorne seized the moment as early as the first minute, giving Ireland the lead with a brilliantly converted short corner, and made it 2-0 after 10 minutes from another set-piece. By half-time Ireland were 5-0 up, Gleghorne completing his hat-trick and Stephen Redpath scoring twice.

"We came out and played hockey from the start and by the time Spain got off the blocks it was way too late," as manager David Acheson put it.

Eugene Magee added Ireland's sixth, with Spain scoring a consolation goal - the same Spanish side that had beaten Holland in their pool A game.

"It's quite unbelievable," said Watt. "It was an incredible first-half performance, it seemed like every short corner we got we stuck away."

The Irish under-16 boys lost 2-0 to France and must beat the Czech Republic today to avoid relegation to the B division. The under-16 girls won their third successive match in Milan, beating Italy 2-1.