Italy In Waterpolo Final: Italy defeated Serbia 9-7 in the semi-finals of the men’s water polo tournament, lining up a gold-medal match against Croatia, and denying tournament favourites Serbia a shot at the gold medal. The Italians upstaged the Serbians, who failed to convert their offensive opportunities and found themselves thwarted by the Italian’s impenetrable goalkeeper Stefano Tempesti. Yesterday’s match was a repeat of the outcome of last year’s world championships, when Italy beat Serbia in extra time to win the title.

Runner Fails Drugs Test: French Olympic Games 5,000m runner Hassan Hirt has tested positive for the banned blood booster EPO. Hirt, who was eliminated in the heats of the event, failed a drugs test on August 3. He has been suspended by the French athletics federation and removed from the squad in London. Hirt, 32, will now face a disciplinary investigation.

Dutch Win Hockey Title: The Netherlands successfully defended their Olympic women’s hockey title with a 2-0 win over world champions Argentina last night. Captain Maartje Paumen scored both goals in an absorbing final at Olympic Park’s Riverbank Arena. The Netherlands can now win both hockey titles, with their men’s team playing Germany today. Argentina captain Luc-iana Aymar, 35, wins her fourth straight Olympic hockey medal but was unable to claim her first gold.

Ekimov Inherits Medal: Russia’s Viatcheslav Ekimov was finally awarded the 2004 Olympic Games cycling time trial gold medal yesterday, a year after dope-tainted winner Tyler Hamilton gave it up. An IOC spokesman said that America’s Bobby Julich, who was third in Athens, will be handed the silver medal with Michael Rodgers, of Australia, taking bronze. In May 2011, Hamilton admitted doping and returned his gold medal from the 2004 Games.