Dutch value to do London double over Germans

European neighbours Germany and the Netherlands meet in the London 2012 Olympic Games men`s hockey gold medal match and, even though both teams made headlines by how they won their semi-final ties, only one of them is worth a final bet.

The Germans did extremely well to eliminate the Australians who had carried all before them in the four years between Olympic Games, fighting back from 0-1 and 1-2 to emerge triumphant by four goals to two in a crackerjack clash.

Germany had gone into its London 2012 Olympic Games men`s hockey semi-final as the despised underdog despite being the defending Olympic champion because Australia had won three Champions Trophy titles and one World Championship crown since coming up short in Beijing four years ago.

And the Germans will start the London 2012 Olympic Games men`s hockey final as the underdog as well, this time because their opponents are in mind-blowing form.

The Netherlands beat Germany 3-1 during the qualification phase of the London 2012 Olympic Games men`s hockey tournament, the Dutch making light of conceding a second-minute goal to dominate from there onwards.

And the men in orange humiliated - there is no other word for it - Great Britain in the second London 2012 Olympic Games men`s hockey semi-final, running out 9-2 winners in what was the biggest Olympic semi-final victory since India crushed France 10-0 in Berlin 76 years. Also, it equalled Team GB`s biggest-ever defeat in Olympic competition.

Bookmakers have installed the Netherlands at around 8-13 to win the London 2012 Olympic Games men`s hockey gold medal and that seems somewhat generous given the clear-cut head-to-head result from less than a week ago.

The London 2012 Olympic Games women`s 800 metres is about to reach its climax and there is only one athlete`s name on the lips of interested parties: South Africa`s Caster Semenya.

Semenya, in case you do not know or remember, had to sit out athletics for almost a year after her stunning victory in the 2009 World Championships resulted in gender tests.

Athletics officials cleared Semenya in July 2010 and she returned to the international track and field scene, collecting a world silver medal 12 months ago.

Before the London 2012 Olympic Games got under way, very few people thought that Semenya would have what it takes to rattle the likes of Pamelo Jelimo and Mariya Savinova.

Most people have changed their tune now, though. Semenya qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games women`s 800m final as the fastest qualifier, setting a personal season best of one minute 57.67 seconds in winning the second of the three semi-finals. She was extremely impressive.

Bookmakers reacted to Semenya`s run by slashing their odds about her winning the London 2012 Olympic Games women`s 800m gold medal, with the top price available now around 8-11.

Punters have a decision to make: do they back Semenya at odds on now if they missed the boat a few days ago? It is tough one. Semenya has the potential to win the London 2012 Olympic Games women`s 800m as easily as David Rudisha won the men`s equivalent in breathtaking world record time.

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10/08/2012     © Frixo 2024