Friday, August 22, 2008 - 12:00 PM

The Australian men's hockey team says it is still reeling after crashing out of Olympic gold medal contention with a 3-2 loss to Spain in Beijing on Thursday night.

The reigning champion Kookaburras, who arrived in Beijing as favourities to win gold, blew a 2-0 lead in the semi-final and will now face the Netherlands in the bronze medal game.

Australian's retiring captain Bevan George says a comfortable lead over Spain was given up in the second half.

"You can't ask for any more than of the guys they left very everything out there, but honestly we just didn't play well enough today. They were just too good for us," he said.

George says he feels he let down his team-mates.

"The guys just gave it their all, I mean there are some disappointed boys and they have not had the privilege of playing off for a gold medal," he said.

"I am just disappointed I let them guys down, I suppose.

"Some of these guys are good enough to play another four years, and I am sure they will be there in London."

Coach Barry Dancer says the Kookaburras were outclassed the by their Spanish counterparts.

"We need to do the re-group thing we need to make sure we are strong mentally," he said.

"It is the last time some of these guys will be playing together in this group."