World Team Table Tennis Championships: England reach last eight

Paul Drinkhall won both of his matches in the last-16 encounter

Paul Drinkhall won a last-match decider as England defeated Poland 3-2 to reach the last eight of the World Team Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

The world number 72 came from a game down to beat Jakub Dyjas 3-1 and set up a quarter-final contest against France on Friday.

Drinkhall earlier beat Zengyi Wang before Liam Pitchford held off a Dyjas fightback to win in five sets.

This is the first time England have reached the last eight since 1983.

Drinkhall said: "We started the tournament badly, with two defeats, but we are all playing better and better; we have a great spirit in the team.

"Now we are through to the quarter-finals where we meet France, and we all really believe we can beat them."