Assistant coach Tommy Watkins says defeat by Ukraine in their final game at the World Championship (Division 1B) in Zagreb is “too painful for words” as Great Britain just missed out on a gold medal for a second successive year.

After four successive wins in the tournament, GB were left with the same scenario as 12 months ago in Eindhoven, needing a point to secure promotion to Division 1A.

But they were beaten 2-1 by Ukraine with the winning goal coming with less than four minutes left on the clock. 

It means that either Ukraine or Lithuania will go up with the gold medal.

“Everyone is hurting so badly right now,” said Watkins. “I cannot describe the feeling. 

“The whole squad has worked so hard for this moment to go our way, but we just could not see it through.

“There is nothing to say really which can make it any better.

“This group gave everything they had but, in the end, we came up a little short.

“We will just have to regroup and plan for next year’s tournament.

“This is a great squad and the potential is there for us to be a success.”