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Wales will play in the European top flight for the first time in 24 years in 2027 after beating Austria 2-1 in dramatic fashion in their EuroHockey Championship II semi-final in Poland.<\/b><\/p>\n
It will mark Wales’ return to the European A Division for the first time since 2003.<\/p>\n
Against Austria, captain Beth Bingham struck first, in the 21st minute, by tapping in from a penalty corner rebound.<\/p>\n
Kristine Vukovich levelled for Austria with 10 minutes left through a penalty corner, but Amy Cradden stepped up to score the winner late on, also from a penalty corner, to spark Wales’ celebrations.<\/p>\n
Bingham’s side had already secured a place in the World Cup qualifiers for just the second time in their history, by progressing from the group stage in Gniezno.<\/p>\n
Their only previous qualification for the World Cup qualifiers came back in 2021, where they lost to Ireland in the final round.<\/p>\n
Wales will face the winner of Friday’s second semi-final, Italy v Switzerland, on Saturday in the tournament final.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n