Published Tuesday, 07 August 2012
Iain Lewers, from Belfast, who plays for Team GB''s men''s hockey team. (© Getty)
They needed a draw against Spain on Tuesday evening to ensure a second-place finish in pool A and keep them on course for a medal.
Team GB led at half time in London as Ashley Jackson scored his fifth goal in as many games - but Spain levelled in the second half when Pau Quemada converted a set-piece.
But the British players were able to hang on in the closing moments as the game finished 1-1.
They will now progress to the last four where they will meet Holland.
Belfast man Lewers played his part as Team GB took the game to their opponents towards the end of the first half.
When he drove a cross in from the right the deflection by 19-year-old Harry Martin, who has grown in stature during the tournament, almost took goalkeeper Francisco Cortes by surprise.
Jackson scored the crucial goal shortly after when he struck with a low penalty corner threaded between Cortes and Juan Fernandez, who was still looking where the ball was when it rebounded off the backboard.
With 16 minutes to go, Quemada beat James Fair inside his right-hand post.
It set up a tense finish and Spain sensed their chance for victory two minutes from time when they won two corners in quick succession.
But the hosts did enough to get the job done as Fair stood tall to deny Quemada.
It will be the first time Team GB have reached this stage since they won gold in 1988.