Heavy Games schedule today

[Dinesh Weerawansa - Reporting From England]

Netherlands will meet Argentina in women's hockey final to be worked off today. The third place play-off for the bronze medal between New Zealand and England will also be played prior to the final.

The Dutch women made it to the final after an exciting semi-final victory over New Zealand 3-1 on a penalty shoot out after the extra time failed to break the deadlock with the scores tied at two-all. Argentina too had anxious moments before edging out the hosts Great Britain by two goals to one in the other semi-final.

It all points to an exciting evening of basketball when the Olympic Games men's tournament semi finals takes place on Friday. Spain will meet Russia in the first semi final, which will be followed by USA-Argentina second semi-final under lights.

Argentina made it to the last four with a close 82-77 win over Brazil while USA beat Australia 119-86 in the last quarter final game last night. Spain's passage to the semis was guaranteed after they overcame France 66-59 while Russia had the better of Lithuania 83-74.

Six athletic gold medals will be on offer at the Olympic Stadium on Friday night as six finals are down for decision, including two relays. The athletic finals to be worked off on Friday are men's pole vault, women's hammer throw, men's 4 x 400m relay, women's 5,000m, women's 4 x 100m relay, and women's 1,500m.

The Millennium Stadium is located on the banks of the River Taff right in the heart of the Welsh capital, Cardiff will be the venue for the third-place play off of the men's football tournament between Asian heavyweights Japan and South Korea to determine the bronze medallist. The two teams lost their respective semi finals to Mexico and Brazil respectively on Tuesday. Mexico and Brazil will battle it out for the gold at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.

The semi finals of the men's volleyball tournament of the London 2012 Games will also be played on Friday evening. Russia will meet Bulgaria in the first match, followed by Italy's howdown with Brazil.

Italy came out with a remarkable performance secure a place in the semi-finals at the expense of the USA. USA's defence of their Olympic title was brought to an abrupt halt by Italy at Earls Court, going down 3-0. Cristian Savani proved to be their Achilles heel, with USA's previously watertight defence breached 19 times by his thunderous hitting. US captain Clayton Stanley did his best to offer some resistance with 16 points, but it was not enough to rescue his team. Italy's reward is a last-four meeting with 2008 silver medallists Brazil, who were comfortable winners over Argentina in the day's first game.

LONDON, Thursday.