Belgium will be Ireland's opponents in the first of their ninth-12th place play-off matches (Saturday, 11.45) after a 2-0 defeat by Lithuania saw them finish bottom of Pool A yesterday at the European Nations' Cup Finals in Cologne.

While hopes of a top eight finish at the tournament were buried by their defeat by Spain on Tuesday, the Irish squad must now aim for no lower a placing than ninth if they are to have any chance of winning a spot in the 2001 World Cup Qualifier. If they can repeat their recent victory over the Belgians (3-0) they will play France or the Czech Republic, who they also beat in their build-up to Cologne, for ninth place in their final game on Sunday.

Germany came from a goal down to beat England 2-1 in the final match of Pool B yesterday, ensuring that they avoid favourites Holland in the semi-finals. They meet Russia, who secured second place in Pool B with a 9-1 win over France, on Saturday, before England take on the Dutch for a place in the final.

England coach Maggie Souyave said she was very disappointed and that her players had struggled in 30 degree temperatures. "It was a good first half but we needed to get a second goal and were punished for silly mistakes," said Souyave.

Meanwhile the European Hockey Federation has announced that Rot-Weiss Cologne, the club hosting the European Finals, will be the venue for next April's Cup Winners' Cup (A Division) with Irish cup holders Hermes drawn in the same pool as Rot-Weiss, Dinamo Sumy (Ukraine) and Edinburgh Ladies. However, should Rot-Weiss win their league play-offs next month they will instead compete in the club championships and a new host will have to be found for the Cup Winners' Cup.

A venue has yet to be decided for the A Division of the Club Championships in which Pegasus have been drawn with Den Bosch (Netherlands), Slough and Kolos Borispol (Ukraine).