England will face Ireland in the bronze medal match at the Men’s European Championship after suffering an agonising 8-6 defeat to Israel in the semi finals.

In a low-scoring contest England led for most of the game before Israel edged 7-6 ahead in the final quarter and the team were unable to send the game into overtime - Israel scoring a breakaway goal in the final seconds to seal it.

The defeat sets up a third place match up against Ireland, who lost 10-8 to Italy in the other semi final, on Friday at 7pm CET/6pm UK time as England look to take home the bronze medal.

England had comfortably beaten France 18-4 in the quarter final to set up the final four meeting against Israel and a repeat of the 2016 European final.

In a predictably close match England started on the front foot, Danny Hilditch opening the scoring inside two minutes.

And as the rain poured down in Wroclaw the sides traded scores throughout the first half - Drew Bickerton bagging twice before Alex Russell gave England a 4-3 lead at the half.

Israel again levelled the scores before Dan Watson put his side ahead once more, but Israel responded right on the 3/4 time to make things 5-5.

England were totally dominant from the face-off, the combination of Mac Moreland and Daniel Madeley winning 14 out of 17 from the X, and it was another win at the beginning of the fourth that helped to put England back in front; Hilditch scoring a stunning diving rebound from his own initial shot that was saved by the Israel goalie.

However, it was after this point that the tide began to turn and Israel turned the screw. Ryan Cohen scored two good individual efforts in the space of three minutes to turn the game on its head and leave England chasing the match at 6-7.

England’s attack worked hard to look to level things but just couldn’t get anything to land, taking 10 shots in the final quarter for just the one goal.

Even with less than a minute to play the England defence worked tirelessly to force a turnover and snatch one last England possession to force the extra period.

However, the attacking possession was also turned over and Israel were able to break upfield and seal the victory.

You can watch England’s bronze medal game on Friday (18 July) at 7pm CET/6pm UK on YouTube HERE or at World Lacrosse TV.