And Slovakia, who had beaten top-ranked Russia in the group stage before knocking out defending champions Sweden in the quarter-finals, came within inches of taking the host nation into overtime.

BBC: Canada set up ice hockey final clash with United States

Defending motorcycle champion Marc Coma sealed the 20th stage win of his Dakar Rally career as rival Cyril Despres got stuck in the mud.

CNN: Gordon cuts Peterhansel's lead

Chelsea, which recently became the first ever defending holder to exit the Champions League at the Group Stage, had its chances to equalize but failed to hit the target.

CNN: Corinthians on top of the world

The home support at Schladming had hoped defending world champion Anna Fenninger would shine on the big stage, but the 23-year-old failed to make one gate high up the course.

CNN: Germany's Hoefl-Riesch grabs gold

Another Frenchman, Cyril Despres, extended his lead to 2:22 over fellow-KTM rider and defending champion Marc Coma in the motorcycle section, after his fourth stage victory.

CNN: Ferrari's Alonso slams F1 testing rules

At the halfway stage, the Fijian is in a tie for second with Americans DJ Trahan and defending champion Joey Sindelar on five-under 139.

BBC: SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD

England's bowlers generally did a fine job in defending the total, although a single Steve Harmison over which Shivnarine Chanderpaul smashed for 26 at a crucial late stage nearly undid so much of the good work.

BBC: England win after farcical finish