Ireland have been knocked out of the EuroHockey Championships despite a 1-1 draw with Germany.

The World Cup runners-up needed a win in their final Group B game to avoid falling into Pool C and contesting for the minor placings.

They had been beaten by England in their opening game, but then kept their hopes of reaching the final four alive with a thumping 11-0 win against Belarus.

And although Sarah Hawkshaw levelled things up after Pia Maertens put the Germans ahead, they could not find a winner and subsequently finished third in the group behind England and the Germans.

Sean Dancer's side will now enter a group with either Belgium or Spain, Russia and Belarus in an attempt to remain in the top tier, with the bottom two being relegated.

Meanwhile, the semi-final line-up contains Netherlands, England, Germany and either Belgium or Spain.

The winners of the tournament will qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo next year.