Commentaries from this week’s Great Britain Women Olympic qualifying games will be broadcast live on the BBC Sport website.

GB are in Astana for the Olympic qualification preliminary round two.

They begin their bid to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics with a game on Thursday against Mexico (9.00am UK time), before facing Poland on Saturday (9.00am) and Kazakhstan the following day (10.00am).

Head Coach Cheryl Smith told BBC Sport: “There is a buzz around the squad at the moment – it really is brilliant and this is very special for any athlete.

“I think Kazakhstan will be very physical and quick, but then we have Poland who move the puck really well. They are two very different teams.

“We cannot underestimate Mexico despite the fact they are a lower-ranked team and came through the first qualifying stage.”

(Image permission: Dean Woolley)