England pulled off a deserved 3-0 victory over Poland in the European Nations Championships to stave off the threat of relegation. The result means England qualify for next year's World Cup qualifier and the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
But there was no such luck in Leipzig for Scotland, who slid to a costly 4-2 defeat at the hands of France.
The loss saw Scotland drop down to the second tier of competition and fail to reach next year's World Cup qualifier.
Mark Ralph had put the Scots ahead in the fifth minute and his brother David doubled the lead just after half-time.
But Frederic Soyez and Stephane Jaquet grabbed two goals to equalise before Alexis Collon hit the winning shot.
Rob Moore converted a second-minute penalty to set England on their way to a crucial win before adding a second with a reverse-stick shot.
Barry Middleton wrapped up the win by converting Ben Hawes'
penalty corner.
England now face a fifth-place play-off against Scotland's French conquerors on Saturday.
MMIX
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