The Black Sticks wrote another heartbreaking chapter in their book of near-misses, beaten by the Netherlands in a rollicking bronze medal match at the Champions Trophy yesterday.

New Zealand will play the Netherlands in tomorrow afternoon's play-off for bronze at the Champions Trophy.

The golden dream lives on but now is hanging by a thread as the Spanish hex on the New Zealand men's hockey team continued yesterday.

The Black Sticks pulled off a Houdini act in writing another great chapter in New Zealand sport with their heart-stopping draw against third-ranked Holland in yesterday's Champions Trophy thriller at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium.