Team GB’s women’s handball team’s Olympic adventure is over after they suffered a 37-14 loss to Croatia in the Copper Box this afternoon.

Having lost their opening four games, progression to the knock-out stages was not possible for Britain but the squad were looking to sign off in style.

Despite the disappointing results, handball has really caught the public’s eye during the Olympic competition and the women’s team were seeking to reward their vocal support with a win.

Croatia’s passage through to the knock-out stages was already assured but they too were keen to get maximum points in order to finish as high up Group A as possible.

Team GB started well and although it was Croatia who struck first, Louise Jukes, Kelsi Fairbrother and Ewa Palies soon had the host nation on the scoreboard.

Croatia led 6-3 at this point but Jukes netted again before Marie Gebron scored a seven-metre throw to reduce the deficit to just one.

It stayed this way until midway through the first half when Croatia suddenly turned on the style.

Eleven unanswered goals saw them charge into a 17-5 lead with less than a minute of the opening period to play.

Holly Lam-Moores added to the score just before the break but Team GB faced an uphill task for the second half, with Croatia leading 17-6.

Britain came out livelier in the second half but after an even opening, Croatia again began to exert their dominance.

Gerbron, Zoe van der Weel and skipper Lynn McCafferty all struck but the deficit continued to grow as Britain found themselves trailing 22-9.

The goals continued to come but for Team GB, they were few and far between.

Nina Heglund and Palies added to the British tally but Croatia continued to prove ruthless in front of goal, earning a 34-11 advantage with just six minutes remaining.

Heglund netted again while there were two further goals for Fairbrother but with Croatia also able to add to the score, they ran out comfortable winners at 37-14.