Kicking off Day #14 to a fantastic start, Team GB‘s Nick Skelton won Gold in the Men’s individual Showjumping event. Team GB’s Muhammad has made it into the -80kg semi-final, which takes place at 9:15 PM. Team GB’s Joyce has made it into Sunday’s Boxing Super-Heavyweight Final, with Canada beating Brazil 2-1 to win the women’s football bronze.
Team GB’s Tom Daley is to compete in the 10m platform preliminaries at 8:00 PM, while Team GB’s Women’s Hockey team are in a gold medal clash with the Netherlands at 9:00 PM.
So far, the United States are in first place with 107 overall medals (36 Gold, 34 Silver & 32 Bronze), Great Britain are second in the medal table with 57 overall medals (23 Gold, 21 Silver & 13 Bronze), while China are third in the medal table with 61 overall medals (21 Gold, 17 Silver & 23 Bronze).
Today has been great so far, so let’s hope today is something fantastic to remember.
Luke Reddy (BBC Sport in Rio de Janeiro): “The show jumping round is underway but I can confirm Harry Potter, the ride of a Turkish athlete, just got a little lost on the course and wiped out an entire fence. Four bars from the fence clattered onto the floor. Harry Potter and the wreckage of Deodoro. Only three athletes have gone so far, about another 17 before British interest is in action. It’s seven points lost for every fence knocked down, 10 for a refusal. Samantha Murray has around 50 points to make up so she needs to be as clean as the laundry. Encouragingly, the horse she will ride – Up Class Girl – has just gone around error free under a Russian rider. The first calm horse we’ve seen.“
Aimee Lewis (BBC Sport in Rio de Janeiro): “Glorious conditions for diving: a clear pool, the sun’s glare easing on a balmy afternoon. Who wouldn’t want to jump off a 10m platform on a day like today? It is incredible watching these athletes close up, twist, tuck, thud.“
Team GB’s Showjumping Gold Medallist, Nick Skelton: “It is unbelievable. I am speechless for once. Big Star was amazing today, justice has been done for him today. He deserved it. It has been a hard road, hasn’t been sound. The last competition he won was in 2013 so today was a good day to win. Everyone has worked hard to get this horse back on the road, it is amazing. It has been tough. The last three years I knew if we got him right he was capable of doing it. He is the best horse I have ever seen. He’s an incredible horse, he knows what’s gong on and knows when it is important. I prefer to go first. He is a fast horse and I went quick enough but not stupid. It went my way.“
Will he take part in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games? Nick Skelton’s response: “I don’t think so. I think when he retires I’ll stop too. He’ll be 17 then and I’ll be too old.“
Aimee Lewis: “It’s a little odd watching a man in speedos jog on the spot in his flip-flops, but divers have to keep warm somehow before walking up those steps for a knee-knocking dive. Tom Daley is in action in these preliminaries and should reach the 10m final with ease, with the top 18 of the 27 progressing. He’s currently third after the first round of dives.“
Mel Clewlow (Ex-Team GB Hockey Player): “There is no fear in this GB team. This is their best opportunity to beat the Dutch. I can see it being a physical encounter and certainly a lot of these girls have got in the mindset of the game. It is going to be really good and hopefully everyone will be tuning in back home.“
France’s Estelle Mossely has won Gold in the Women’s Boxing Lightweight Event, after narrowly claiming victory against China’s Yin Junhua.
Simon Mason (Ex-Team GB Olympic Hockey Player): “This match is huge. This could have an impact across so many sports. It could give the belief that groups of people can come together in these team sports and the investment is wholly worthwhile. The Dutch team have such a wealth of experience.“
Mel Clewlow: “This is set up to be something really special.“
Former British Hockey Player, Sally Walton: “You want to get that first touch out of the way and get yourself into the game. It is clear to see the Dutch are trying to press immediately.“
Mel Clewlow: “The fascinating match up for me tonight is that the Dutch backline do not have a lot of pace. They are going to be up against the likes of Alex Danson and Sophie Bray who do. Sam Quek went to ground, she didn’t take the ball and as a result she takes the player. It is the absolute right decision. It was a great save but from a world class player it was a poor penalty stroke. It goes to show what pressure does.“
Sara Orchard (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra): “Maddie Hinch read that like a pamphlet that drops through the door you don’t want to read. Unbelievable stuff.“
Mel Clewlow: “That is exactly what we wanted to see. Fantastic skills from Sophie Bray and the Owsley was first to react. Fantastic start from Great Britain.“
Sara Orchard: “Wow. Absolutely incredible. Even coach Danny Kerry manages to have a little fist pump. He is normally quite calm but in an Olympic final anything goes.“
Mel Clewlow: “One thing Britain have been excellent at has been their defence in this competition.“
Simon Mason: “It is turnover, turnover, because of the pace the game is being played at. Whether they can sustain this pace for the next three quarters I am not sure. It will be impressive if they do.“
Mel Clewlow: “That is gutting from a British perspective because a mistake has led to that goal.“
Luke Reddy: “What about it? The Dutch haven’t lost at an Olympics since 2004. Their fans are all over the success, outnumbering the Brits here by perhaps 10 to 1 but when Lily Owsley tapped in, the British flag appeared from everywhere. Kudos to Maddie Hinch in goal. Many here have said she’s the best goalkeeper in the women’s game and that save fits the billing. She saved three penalties when GB beat the Dutch in the European final last year. They must be sick of her. Nothing she could do about that equaliser though, the Dutch bench erupts and there’s relief on faces.“
Mel Clewlow: “This is what the Dutch do. They swarm around and that is why they are one of the best teams in the world. When get the opportunities the British have to take them. These are the moments you can’t afford to give to the Dutch. They don’t miss very often.“
Former British Hockey Player, Sally Walton: “I can’t believe what I have just seen! Phenomenal save. This will need all the players having the game of their lives and that starts with Maddie Hinch.“
Mel Clewlow: “I don’t think she’ll have hit one better that on the backhand that hasn’t gone in.“
Sally Walton: “We can’t say this was not coming. The Dutch have been rolling up the pressure. GB really need half time to come and regroup. They need to take better care of the ball when they get it.“
Mel Clewlow: “You don’t get many chances against the Dutch but when you do you have got to take them. Cullen was in acres of space and she slaps it first time. It was shocker from the Netherlands but GB aren’t going to care.“
Luke Reddy: “They went split screen in the stadium for that goal line replay. Is it in? Is it not? All eyes transfixed on one thing but Great Britain survive. Compelling stuff. A roar from the Britons sandwiched within a pack of a few thousand Dutch. It’s soon drowned out as Paumen drills the Dutch ahead. Oddly, ‘Let it Be’ by the Beatles plays out. Maybe that’s her favourite song? What have you got Britain? You find yourselves in times of trouble. Bang… Cullen 2-2. Thriller.“
Sally Walton: “It’s like her right pad got caught in the floor. She should have saved that but they all count. Game on. Hopefully that will open the floodgates for Cullen.“
Mel Clewlow: “It has been such an absorbing half of hockey it is hard to belief it is almost half-time.“
Simon Mason: “The Dutch are swarming the ball carrier and then attacking as a unit. It creates the overload and then for their goal it was an incredible finish.“
Sally Walton: “I would say to them at half-time to keep patient. We are getting caught up with the tempo the Dutch are trying to play but we need to play our game. That is what has got us to the final of this tournament.“
Simon Mason: “The equaliser was not a moment that Joyce Sombroek will have in her personal highlight diary.“
Luke Reddy: “A man with a ‘Holland cheese’ on his head. I don’t think any more words are needed.“
Mel Clewlow: “I would like GB to try and put the pressure on a little more and win the ball further up the field so they haven’t got as far to run to get to the Dutch circle.“
Luke Reddy: “How many British flags can you fit in one photograph? I’ve left the fever of the media tribunes to mix it up over here with fans. They are gripped and the only seat you can get in this stand is in the aisle. “We love you GB, we do,” comes the cry.“
Mel Clewlow: “It is just wave after wave of pressure from the Dutch.“
Sally Walton: “I have not seen the Dutch do that at this tournament. Maddie Hinch unfortunately was not able to get to that and in the end a great goal you have to say.“
Mel Clewlow: “You had a feeling the Dutch would have to do some kind of manoeuvre. They shaped for the flick and rolled the ball to Male who doesn’t have to move, just swing her stick at the ball.“
Aimee Lewis: “The sun has set in these parts, the temperature has dropped. The floodlights are on which can only mean one thing – giant moths. It’s a decent-sized crowd in the opposite stand for this 10m preliminary and they’ve been treated to a cracking dive by one of the favourites, Qiu Bo, but It still isn’t enough to overtake halfway leader Tom Daley. There’s a Brazilian competing – Hugo Parisi – so the decibels rise significantly whenever he and Daley step on the platform. A nice atmosphere.“
BBC Sport’s Ollie Williams: “I am just above the technical area in the heart of Dutch territory. It is a very happy place at the moment, a man with a hat made from cheese just walked past me. The British fans, meanwhile, are looking a little glum.“
Luke Reddy: “You sensed that was coming and again the British women will have to find something. Is it meant to be? Remember this is Kate Richardson-Walsh’s last ever international after over 350 outings. Written in the stars? The Dutch fans are now boisterous. Worryingly they are winning over locals. The guy in front of me is about as Dutch as a dog chewing on Yorkshire pudding but he’s been converted. Brazil turns orange. He’s singing away merrily.“
Simon Mason: “Maddie Hinch is putting up valiant rear guard action but it finally came good for the Dutch. There isn’t an obvious outlet for GB. They know they can do it, there is not an obvious way to do it but they will have confidence, they can.“
Sally Walton: “What you won’t see is GB players going AWOL. They will stick together as a team. This is actually a good position for GB. They can really get into this at the start of the fourth quarter and get a couple of goals.“
Luke Reddy: “So this is it. Just 15 minutes of one’s life. Forever a winner or forever the one who got close? Great Britain trailed Netherlands late in the European final last year and won in a shootout. It’s still on but the Dutch look dominant. Hassling errors deep in GB territory for fun.“
Mel Clewlow: “I just think GB need to play without fear. They are 3-2 down in the Olympic final, they need to go for it.“
Luke Reddy: ““GB till I die, I’m GB till I die…” Never a great chant that one. Very much a tune sung when things aren’t going to plan.“
Sara Orchard (BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra): “GB are calm as custard at the moment. They are saying this job is not done. Score, get back and get this job done. It’s still on.“
Mel Clewlow: “Against all of the odds and against all of the pressure, it doesn’t matter. Right place, right time. There is an intensity about Britain at the moment.“
Luke Reddy: “Dear me. People are losing their minds. A Dutchman next to me just shakes his head and says “unbelievable.” It’s like the British are multiplying here. Growing. “We’ve got five minutes, COME ON!” Shouts the boyfriend of Sam Quek.“
Mel Clewlow: “I personally don’t think it is a penalty corner. That was brave from Hinch. The Dutch dominated. They had so much possession. But Great Britain have been successful because of their defence and ability of Maddie Hinch which is unreal.“
Luke Reddy: “A reminder Maddie Hinch saved three against Netherlands in a shootout last year.“
Sara Orchard: “What will happen is you nominate your first five players and the goalkeeper goes back into the goal but instead of it being from a still position they start from 23m line and the clock starts from eight seconds. It is about getting it in the goal as quickly as possible.“
Mel Clewlow: “Don’t get cautious. Don’t change your mind, Stick with what you know. That wasn’t the best from Helen Richardson-Walsh. Hinch is really clever. She changes where she starts her run up every time.“
Luke Reddy: “Quite the scene. Quite the scene indeed.“
Mel Clewlow: “That is what you call calmness under pressure.“
Team GB’s Women’s Hockey Team have won Gold in the Hockey Final, and this, for them, is a first Olympic women’s hockey gold medal. They have beaten the Netherlands, who were previously the champions of Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Team GB are the Olympic Champions.
Sara Orchard: “Sixteen heroines out there on the park. They have rewritten hockey history. Unbelievable. I cannot believe what we have just witnessed. In the words of the great Barry Davies ‘where were the Dutch? Who cares!“
Mel Clewlow: “Absolutely unbelievable. Look what it means. That is something else. Eight from eight in the biggest tournament in the world. It is absolutely incredible. Maddie Hinch is going to love playing in the Netherlands next year!“
Simon Mason: “I am genuinely struggling to put that into words. GB were under pressure for huge chunks but we thought if it goes to penalties they could win. Fair play Maddie Hinch. Just incredible. That will change the face of British hockey.“
Mel Clewlow: “The moment it went to a penalty shootout it was in the Dutch minds. Maddie Hinch is just phenomenal. Danny Kerry is probably the best technical coach I have worked with. Kate Richardson-Walsh is the most humble hockey player ever. She no idea the impact she has had on the sport at all.“
Simon Mason: “This is a moment they will savour forever. It is hard to believe but if we take it in the cold light of day, it is years in the making. The girls believed they could do it, they knew they could deliver this.“
Australia’s Chloe Esposito has won Gold in the Women’s Modern Pentathlon Final.
Simon Mason: “The girls have no idea what they are going back to. There are thousands of players who will have been inspired by that. Maddie Hinch is the best goalkeeper in the world. She made some key saves. That set the bar for Great Britain. It was a lesson for any goalkeepers watching tonight.“
Luke Reddy: “That was insane. Mums, dads, brothers, sisters and partners in tears. I hope you were as gripped as everyone here. Some things are just meant to be perhaps.“
Germany have won Gold in the Women’s football final, beating Sweden 2-1.
Luke Reddy: “When they finished fifth of six at the Champions Trophy just a couple of months ago, I doubt many in the Team GB squad thought they’d be stood there. Eight games, eight wins, 16 heroes.“
Luke Reddy: “I’ve just had a chat with Sam Quek and she said her emotions are all over the place. The Liverpudlian said she cried when she first looked down at her medal. She’s quick to say that final had everything and can’t wait to go for drinks and food with friends and family. Life will never quite be the same again.“
Team GB’s Helen Richardson-Walsh: “It is difficult to put into words what this means. I am struggling to believe it. 17 years ago when I started my career we were so far off. We have put in so much hard work, grown and grown over the last eight years. We have got an incredible group of players and staff and we had the belief. It just means absolutely everything to get this gold medal. It is pretty special. To get an Olympic medal is special but to share with Kate is truly amazing.“
Denise Lewis (Olympic Heptathlon Gold Medallist): “Tonight is the night they can come of age because I think they could get a medal.“
Luke Reddy: “When you meet your family for the first time after winning a gold medal….Crista Cullen resembled a child being set free at the end of a school day there. Lovely to see, a proper hug. Full commitment.“
Kate Richardson-Walsh: “It is very special. To see Helen go through double back surgery, the strength and resilience she has shown resonates through the whole squad. It honestly and truly comes from every single person in this squad. Everyone who touches this squad has it and it is infectious. We wanted to be the difference, create history and inspire the future and we have done it. This is it, 100 per cent. We are going to retire as reigning Olympic champions and it is a good way to go out.”
Tom Fordyce: “The Estadio Olimpico has the air this evening of a party that no-one wants to end. It will be the last time we see Usain Bolt at an Olympics, and while the night has a celebratory air, it will be tinged with a little inevitable sadness too.“
Emily Diamond: “I found myself more nervous today than in my individual race because I didn’t want to let the girls down.“
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