Skipper Lynn McCafferty netted three times but GB were overpowered

Great Britain women's handball team saw their hopes of qualification for the 2010 European Championship come to an end with a 40-20 defeat in Iceland.

Following their 27-16 defeat at Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Britain struggled to score as a strong Icelandic side completed an emphatic double.

Iceland were clinical in attack, scoring almost at will at times.

"Our normal spirit was not 100% there, and it affected our performance," head coach Jesper Holmris said.

GB newcomer Marie Gerbron netted five times in only her second match, but Holmris was less than impressed with the team's overall performance.

"It was a very disappointing first half," he said.

"We stepped up at the end of the first half, but it was only acceptable, still not great.

"We're actually quite happy to have scored 20 goals as that was our aim in the match at Crystal Palace, but we let 40 goals in which isn't great, as the goalkeepers had an off day and the defence was not good.

"But we're not too sad - this is a tough tournament, and Iceland are much stronger than we are - but they aren't 20 goals better when we're 100% focused."

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