Team England, who beat Spain 5-0 in the European men's team championships in Warsaw this morning, must beat hosts Poland tonight if they are to qualify for the semi-finals at this Thomas Cup qualifier.

But there was disappointment for the women's squad this afternoon as they lost all three singles to hand group Russia a winning lead in their group decider.

Rajiv Ouseph again led the way against the Spaniards, beating Pablo Abian 21-14 19-21 21-17. But it could have been over in two games. Ouseph led 19-16 before allowing the Spanish No 1 five points in a row to force the decider.

The opening contest lasted 56 minutes but Carl Baxter's clash with Ernesto Velazquez took even longer with the Avon man needing 61 minutes to overcome his opponent 21-23 21-18 21-17.

After that Center Parcs-supported Team England got a move on and Harry Wright (pictured)  toppled Carlos Longo 23-21 21-18 in 36 minutes and Anthony Clark and Robin Middleton were just as quick against David Leal and Elicer Ojeda despite dropping the first game. The England pair won 18-21 21-11 21-17.

But Robert Blair and Chris Adcock were in no mood to hang about, overpowering Abian and Longo 21-9 21-11 to complete the victory.

While England go into the big showdown with three 5-0 wins to their name, Poland recorded just one 5-0 - the win over Lithuania. Against both Spain and Austria the scoreline was 4-1.

Team England's women, as feared, found seeds Russia too strong in their group showdown.

English National champion Elizabeth Cann took Ella Diehl to three games before going down 21-10 17-21 21-11. Then Rachel Howard lost to Tatiana Bibik 21-18 21-10, leaving Kate Robertshaw in her second, England appearance, facing a must-win contest against doubles specialist Nina Vislova.

The Yorkshire girl put up a plucky display, winning the first game, before going down 21-23 21-17 21-12.

That meant England had lost before they could bring their two strong doubles pairs into play.

Heather Olver and Mariana Agathangelou stopped the slide by beating Ksenia Polikarpova and Anastasia Prokopenko 21-9 21-18 but Jenny Wallwork and Gabby White went down to Vislova and Valeria Sorokina 21-15 21-16 to end Team England's hopes of reaching the Uber Cup Finals in Kuala Lumpur in May.