Hockey at the Riverbank Arena

When China lose 1-0 to Japan yesterday afternoon, the British and Dutch women's hockey teams are assured of a place in the semi finals of the tournament.  They meet in the evening to play for the top spot in their group, however, and the atmosphere is one of the best I've seen at these games.  The Dutch turn up on a grand scale, almost outnumbering the home support, and sing throughout.  By some amazing luck we've got incredible seats in the accessible walkway, where we can choose our own spot and move chairs around to the end the British are attacking in each half.  There's nothing between us and the team benches except the walkway to the changing rooms.  Best seats in the house.

There's some great skill on show in the first half, and the GB fans get a boost when their side take the lead from a penalty corner.  Immediately afterwards the Dutch win one of their own, but Reading's Beth Storry produces the first of a trio of brilliant saves to ensure Britain lead at half time.  When the away team set up to take a penalty, the sound system plays tension-mounting music and the opportunity is squandered.  In the second, however, the top-ranked Dutch really show their class.  They win an early penalty - this time accompanied by something far more uplifting - and respond in kind by levelling the scores.  Sadly for GB the play is all Dutch from here, the Brits reduced to long ball attacks and unable to build any possession.  The Netherlands score again and finish 2-1 winners, but GB can look forward to a semi final on Wednesday.

At the end of the contest both teams walk right around the crowd, clapping their support and taking their own applause.  This is just one of the many touches that make me feel a lot of people who don't think they like sport would have a fantastic evening here.  There's none of the cynicism of football, for instance, and the pace of play is kept up with quickly taken free hits and restarts.  Unlike footballers, hockey players can take a free hit to themselves, choosing to dribble the ball forward rather than playing a pass, and this immediately speeds up play.

In the second game of the night, Australia and Argentina face off for the right to meet Team GB on Wednesday.  The sport is huge in these countries, and the players can achieve real celebrity status.  the Australians attack and defend in packs, the Argentinians make quick breaks from defence to attack.  Neither team looks particularly used to the wet, chilly conditions which have developed, but there's total commitment and some great dribbling skill on show, particularly from the Argentinian attackers.

The match is goalless with five minutes to play, and Australia need a win to qualify.  In another great moment, the Aussies substitute their goalkeeper for an outfield player in a desperate final push, but they can't break down their South American opponents, and the 1996 and 2000 winners bow out at the group stage.