Ireland have qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Mixed Team Badminton Championships despite losing 5-0 to England in Leuven, Belgium today.
Their place was confirmed after England also beat the hosts 5-0 on Thursday night.
Ireland will play Denmark in the last eight at 6pm Irish time on Friday.
After beating Belgium yesterday, Ireland opted to rest women's No 1 Chloe Magee.
In her place, Rachael Darragh paired up with Sam Magee for the mixed doubles and against top British pair Chris and Gabrielle Adcock, the Irish pair put in an encouraging performance, stretching the match to 33 minutes before losing 21-18, 27-17.
Next up was the men's singles, where a match-rusty Scott Evans faced old rival Rajiv Ouseph. Evans, nursing a sprained ankle, struggled in the opening game losing 6-21, but found some form in the second before losing 16-21.
In the women's singles, Dubliner Sara Boyle came in for Chloe Magee and performed heroically against Fontaine Mica Chapman, only losing 21-14, 21-11.
Sam Magee and Josh Magee lost to Peter Mills and Andrew Ellis in the men's doubles, while in the women's doubles, Sara Boyle and Rachael Darragh were beaten by Heather Oliver and Lauren Smith.
The draw for the quarter-finals will take place later tonight.
European Mixed Team Badminton Championships
(Irish first)
Singles
Men: S Evans lost to R Ouseph 7-21, 16-21.
Women: S Boyel lost to F Mica Chapman 14-21, 11-21.
Doubles
Mixed: S Magee/R Darragh lost to C Adcock/G Adcock 18-21, 17-21.
Men: J Magee/S Magee lost to P Mills/A Ellis 12-21, 11-21. Women: S Boyle/R Darragh lost to H Oliver/L Smith 8-21, 11-21.
