London 2012

Goal threat: Sarah Thomas (r) scored the last time Argentina and Great Britain met at the Olympic Games - hockeyimages.co.ukLONDON, August 7 - On Wednesday evening Great Britain will take to the Riverbank Arena for their biggest match since the Atlanta Olympics.

Their semi-final opponents are world champions Argentina in what is shaping up to be the latest in an epic seires of hockey battles between the two nations.

In their last clash at a world-level event Argentina shaded Great Britain 1-0 in the Champions Trophy final in Rosario in February. But that was in front of 16 thousand Argentina fans. A home crowd in London is a different proposition.

LONDON, August 6 - The semi-final and ranking match lineup for the women's hockey competition at the 2012 Olympic Games is now known: 

Wednesday August 8

08:30 Women's 9-10 Japan vs South Africa
11:30 Women's  7-8 Korea vs Germany
15:30 Women's Semifinal Netherlands vs New Zealand
20:00 Women's Semifinal Argentina vs Great Britain

Friday August 10

08:30 Women's 11-12 Belgium vs United StatesS
11:30 Women's 5-6 China vs Australia
15:30 Women's Bronze Medal 
20:00 Women's Gold Medal Match

Corner goal: Crista Cullen gave GB the lead against the Netherlands but the Dutch fought back to win 2-1 - hockeyimages.co.ukLONDON, August 6 - Great Britain crashed to their second straight defeat of the 2012 Olympic Games women's hockey tournament but have secured a semi-final place as other results in the pool fell their way.

The home side went into their clash with world number one ranked side the Netherlands knowing a semi-final spot was secured. The 2-1 loss however sets up a potentially more difficult semi-final match with world champions Argentina.

He's back: And he wants a medal - Martin Haener - hockeyimages.co.ukLONDON, August 6 – German defender Martin Haener has good memories of England, he played the 2008/9 season in the national league and took back both an indoor and outdoor title back to Berlin.

Now the 23-year-old is back and this time he's after an Olympic medal.

Haener – who established himself in the German national side after the Beijing Games, where Germany won gold – spoke to Push after his side's 3-1 loss to the Netherlands.

"I played one year in England and won the indoor and outdoor titles with East Grinstead. So I know some people here and it is nice to be back in London, " Haener said. 

Goal: Japan celebrate their winning strike vs China - hockeyimages.co.ukLONDON, August 6 - Japan have defeated Beijing Olympic silver medallists China 1-0, a result which ensures Great Britain a women's hockey Olympic Games semi-final place ahead of their clash with the Netherlands at 7pm tonight.

Rika Komazawa scrambled in the second half goal and the Riverbank Arena cheered almost as loudly as when GB men drew level with Australia the previous evening.

Sakiyo Asano also made a string of fine saves in the Japanese goal against a largely unadventurous China attack.

• Orange means danger: Naomi van As - hockeyimages.co.ukIf Great Britain beat Netherlands, both teams will qualify for the semifinals with Great Britain as pool winners.
• If Great Britain draw they will still progress to the semifinals if China do not win their 13:45 match against Japan by at least five goals.
• If Great Britain lose against Netherlands they will still progress to the semifinals as long as China do not beat Japan.
  

Ben Hawes: If we play attacking hockey the crowd gets behind us says the 32-year-old GB defenderLONDON, August 6 – Three-time hockey Olympian Ben Hawes puts down the GB team's comeback from three goals behind against Australia to staying calm and following the team plan.

The world number one side and tournament favourites had GB on the ropes, taking a 3-0 lead six minutes into the second half. But Hawes said the team didn't make the mistake of resorting to individual efforts, and they also managed to stay calm in the cauldron of the Riverbank Arena.

"It was absolutely a team effort. Our game was to impose ourselves on the Aussies. If you let them impose themselves, they take the defence apart and they roll teams over," Hawes said.

Worth a goal: The crowd means we have to be a goal better says Australia coach Ric Charlesworth - hockeyimages.co.ukLONDON, August 5 – GB coach Jason Lee had promised a Rocky-style performance. And at 3-0 down six minutes into the second half, in film terms, Great Britain men's hockey side was scrabbling around on the canvas and trying to pick  up a mouthguard in boxing gloves.

The Riverbank Area crowd had turned glum and even the band were a little half-hearted. The last time Great Britain had beaten Australia at an Olympic Games was, after all, in the semi-final in 1988. Then there was a glimmer of hope. Jonty Clarke stuffed the ball across goal from the baseline and it flopped in of an Australian . There were 23 minutes to play.

"When we started to get a foothold in the game the crowd got behind us," said GB coach Jason Lee.