From the women’s hockey final to men’s basketball semi-finals to relay races on the track, Graham Caygill shares his view on the five events to watch at the Olympics on Day 14. Note, all times mentioned UAE.
Women’s hockey final
The Netherlands go for a third successive Olympic title in the women’s final, which starts at midnight (UAE time). Both Maartje Paumen and Kelly Jonker have hit four goals apiece in the Dutch side’s unbeaten run in the tournament. They face a Great Britain team making their first appearance in the final.
Walking races
In terms of athletics, when we have seen the competitors in action, it has been running. Day 14 sees a change of pace with the two walking races on the streets of Rio. The men’s 50-kilometre walk kicks off proceedings at 3pm. The women then take centre stage with their 20km event at 9.30pm.
Men’s basketball semi-finals
The United States remain on track to retain their title, having won all six of their games in the tournament to claim first in Group A. The US face Spain for a place in Sunday’s final at 10.30pm. The second semi-final has Serbia, who stunned Group B winners Croatia in the quarter-finals, against Australia at 2am.
Women’s football final
We are guaranteed a new Olympic women’s football champion when Sweden and Germany, neither of whom have won the competition before, face each other in the final at 12.30am. The bronze medal will be decided beforehand when Brazil play Canada, who won bronze at London in 2012, at 8pm.
4x400m relays
You know it is coming towards the end of the Games when the relay races are taking place. Day 14 is the first rounds of the respective women’s and men’s 4x400m relays, with the women first to run at 2am. The United States are targeting a sixth successive win in the women’s competition, while the Bahamas are defending champions in the men’s race.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
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