Germany, Brazil in men’s beach VB final

German stormed in to men's beach volleyball final with a runaway victory over Netherlands today. The German pair of Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann made it through to the final in style with a straight-sets win against Reinder Nummerdor and Rich Schuil of Netherlands.

The Germans took control with their impressive form helping them to a 9-4 lead and never looked back. The Dutch pair struggled to recover, with Reckermann strong at the net. Nummerdor and Schuil brought it back to three but the Germans then raced away to take the first set 21-14. The German pair continued in the same form in the second set too, with the Dutch duo lacking the force to match Brink's defence at the back of the court and Reckermann's power.

Germany will meet Brazil in the final. Earlier, the Brazilian duo of Alison Cerutti and Emanuel Rego beat Latvian pair Martins Plavins and Janis Smedins. The Latvian combination will play their bronze medal play-off match with Nummerdor and Schuil.

Meanwhile, Australia sent out a warning to their rivals in the men's hockey, while hosts Great Britain held on to make it through to the semi-finals. The hosts will meet Netherland's in their semi final match scheduled for Thursday.

Australian did well to make a comeback and s reestablish their reputation as the team to fear with a stunning seven goals to nil win over former world champions Pakistan to confirm their place in the semi-finals as Group A winners. Kookaburras, for the third time in five outings here, scored five or more in a match - hitting seven for a second time - to finish with 23 goals to their tally.Not content with having the best attacking record in the tournament, they also are the strongest defensively, having let in just five goals, which all came as they conceded leads to draw with Argentina and Great Britain.

Chris Hoy begins new life

A triumphant Chris Hoy began the next phase of his life after securing a sixth Olympic gold medal. The 36-year-old from Edinburgh won Keirin gold as Great Britain finished competition at the London 2012 Velodrome with seven gold medals from 10 events. The temptation for the champion rider will be the Glasgow Commonwealth Games at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in 2014 and that could well be a motivating factor.

“The dream scenario is to have that as my swansong, to be there for the Commonwealth Games, but it's a big ask, it's two more years. I'll take a few months off the bike completely. I'm just looking forward to having a normal life now for the next couple of months and spending time with my wife Sarra, being able to enjoy a drink or two, going out to play golf,” he said.

“I wouldn't be continuing doing this at the age of 36 if I didn't love it, but it is hard work, so two more years is a big ask. But there couldn't be a bigger draw than a home Commonwealth Games,” said Hoy who was tearful as he stepped on to the top step of the Olympic podium for a sixth time, surpassing Sir Steve Redgrave's previous best. Redgrave was in the Velodrome and embraced Hoy afterwards.

At the Basketball Arena of the London 2012, France stroked in to the women's basketball tournament semi finals of the Olympic Games with an exciting 71-68 victory over Czech Republic. South Korea entered the semi finals of the women's volleyball tournament with a three sets to one win over Italy.

Sri Lanka's only competitor left to be seen in action - Anuradha Indrajith Cooray is making his final preparations for Sunday's men's marathon event. Athletic Manager and AASL Secretary, Read Admiral Shemal Fernando said Cooray has been working hard and is aiming to better his career best timing in the long distance event.

Cooray qualified to compete in London Olympics after gaining qualifying standards at this year's London Marathon worked off in April.

LONDON, Wednesday.