Hockey: Great Britain beat Spain in World League opener in Valencia

Alex Danson was fouled for a penalty stroke, which she converted to score Great Britain's first goal in a 2-0 win against Spain

Great Britain's women's hockey team made a winning start to their World League semi-finals campaign as they aim to secure a place at the 2016 Olympics.

Britain, bronze medallists at the 2012 London Olympics, defeated hosts Spain 2-0 as Alex Danson scored and Joie Leigh got her first international goal.

There are 10 countries competing in two pools of five with the top four nations in each reaching the knock-out phase.

The top three sides in Valencia will secure their places in Rio next year.

Great Britain captain Kate Richardson-Walsh said: "We're happy with the result and it's good to score a couple of goals. I thought it wasn't going to come, but we stayed patient and stayed with it.

"Spain are playing fantastically well, they're as fit as they've ever been so to get the win is great."

Britain are next in action when they play Argentina on Saturday, 13 June, before matches against Canada on 14 June and China on 16 June.

A further 10-team semi-finals tournament takes place in Antwerp in July.

Seven teams that progress from both semi-final events will take part in the World League finals from 21-29 November in Argentina.