Audio: Gold trail ends for GB in Slovenia

Paul Thompson's side went a goal down midway through the game, when Daniel Fekete pounced to put the Hungarians in control.

GB pushed hard in the third and created a number of clear chances only to be denied by an in-form Zoltan Hetenyi in the Hungarian goal.

As GB pushed for the equaliser their task became twice as hard when Krisztian Palkovics made it 2-0 at 45.43.

Ashley Tait had an opportunity to make it one-goal game in the last minute after he drew a penalthy shot but he was, once again, denied by Hetenyi.

Thompson was left convinced that his side would have been still fighting for a gold medal on Friday had they not come up against a red-hot goaltender who turned away 35 shots.

"When the opposition goalie wins the man of the match you know you were in for a tough afternoon's work," said Thompson.

"I can't be disappointed with the performance or the effort, we played a hell of a game - totally committed for the whole 60 minutes.

"In the end we just ran up against a stunning performance from a really quality player in Hetenyi.

"Yes we had chances but I'm not blaming any of the players, every one of them gave me everything they had.

"A couple of years ago we used to come to these Championships and play in the relegation game at the end of the event, now we are all gutted that we aren't playing in the gold medal game on Friday, that's how far this programme has come, that's how far these young men in the dressing room have come.

"It was a great effort tonight, of course I'm disappointed, we all are. But I'm also dead proud as well."

GB now face a repeat of last year's bronze medal match against Poland when the two sides meet on Friday afternoon.

Last year saw Thompson's side shcok their hosts when Tait scored an overtime winner.

After losing their opening two games against hosts and favourites Slovenia (3-2) and Hungary (6-0), Poland have found returned to winning ways in the last two days with victories over the Division One Group B whipping boys, Croatia and Korea, leaving them one point behind GB in the standings.

More to follow.