The Semifinals bracket is ready to come alive as the four remaining Women's Soccer teams will battle for the last two spots available for gold. Australia, Russia, France and the United States have made it this far. The first match on Thursday will be between the U.S. and Australia.
United States vs. Australia - Time: 12 p.m. ET/5 p.m. GMT
The United States has been the favorite to win this event since 1996 when they won their first of four consecutive gold medals. Not that today's Men's Basketball matchup should serve as a measuring stick for the result in this competition, but the U.S. Women's Basketball team has been destroying their opponents so far in the London Olympics.
The Women's Australian team has no need to be ashamed, though they have not defeated their opponents by the same margin of victory as the Americans, they only lost one game in the preliminaries and then spanked China in the quarterfinals matchup 75-60. That has been the second largest margin by which the Australian Women have won a game. The largest, 16 point lead against the British in a 74-58 win.
Russia vs France - Time: 4 p.m. ET/9 p.m. GMT
Both Russia and France barely made it to the semifinals. We could have easily been looking at a Czech Republic vs. Turkey semifinals match.
It was a close and exciting game as both Russia and Turkey went into the fourth quarter tied at 51.
Russia can thank Becky Hammon for the two point bucket that gave them the two-point 64-62 lead with 13 seconds left. Then they can send thank you flowers to Kuanitra Holingsvorth who missed the first free throw and not tying the game.
France went into the final quarter of their game down by 10 points as the Czechs led 51-41. France went on a rampage in the fourth outscoring the Czechs 30-17. France's Celine Dumers hit the definitive three that gave them the lead for good.
If both teams play the way they did in the quarterfinals, then it will be a must watch game.
The winner will advance in the Women's Basketball bracket and most likely play Team USA in the finals.