Netherlands 3 Germany 2 [semi-final]
Australia 6 Spain 3 [semi-final]
Pakistan 3 India 0
New Zealand 4 Korea 3
South Africa 5 Egypt 1
Britain 4 Argentina 1

The Netherlands beat World champions Germany 3-2 in the Olympic men's hockey semi-finals on Wednesday, setting up a meeting with Australia in the final and chance to win their third gold medal in a row.

The Australians beat Spain 6-3 in the second semi-final played later.

The Germans scored in the third minute through Matthias Witthaus but Teake Taekema restored parity for the Dutch from a penalty-stroke two minutes later.

The Dutch then capitalised on two defensive lapses to score in the 47th and 52nd minutes through Marten Eikelboom and Teun de Nooijer respectively.

Germany pulled a goal back in the 58th minute through Christoph Bechmann but the Netherlands played it safe in the remainder of the match to emerege triumphant.

Two goals each by Michael McCann and Grant Schuber were the highlight of Australi's tennis score vctory.

Australia took the lead in the third minute from a penalty-corner, scored by Troy Elder. But Spain equalised in the eighth minute through Eduardo Tubau.

Michael McCann regained the lead for the Aussies in the 23rd minute before Mathew Wells made it 3-1 from a penalty-corner four minutes later.

The Aussies looked to have wrapped up the match nine minutes into the second session when McCann socred his second goal and made it 4-1.

But Spain pulled one back through a penalty-corner converted by Xavier Ribas in the 49th minute. 

In the 51st minute Grant Schubert scored the first of his two goals from a penalty-corner and two minutes later scored Australia's sixth goal to complete the rout.

Spain got a consolation goal in the 67th minute through Ribas from apenalty-croner.t  

The first semi-final got off to a rousing start with Germany forging ahead from their first foray into Dutch territory.

But their joy was short-lived as Holland replied from a penalty-stroke, which they earned when German skipper Florian Kunz was hit on the foot on the goalline from Holland's first penalty-corner. Taekema's flick from the spot flew high into the net.

The Dutch then went ahead following a lapse in the German defence in the 47^th minute, when the defenders failed to trap a free-hit from just outside the circle. Eikelboom's seized the chance to score.

Four minutes later, Holland increased the lead when Nooijer, after a fine move on the left with Eikelboom, sounded the board.

Germany pressed hard and were rewarded for their effortr when Bechmann caught the Dutch defence napping, trapping a long pass across the circle and tapping at the left post.

With time running out Germany went all out for the equalizer but the Dutch defence did well to hold on.

New Zealand beat Korea

In a play-off match for the fifth to eight positions, New Zealand beat Korea 4-3 to make sure of a top six finish.

They will meet Pakistan, who beat India 3-0 in a later match.

Phillip Burrows's fine hat-trick, which included a last-minute winning goal, gave the Kiwis victory.

Wayne McIndoe accounted for New Zealand's other goal.

For the Koreans, Yeo Woon Kon, Lee Jun Seon and Jeon Jong Ha scored.

With his three goals, Burrows is second on the list of tournament leading scorers, level with three others on seven goals.

In the play-offs for ninth to 12th positions, South Africa beat Egypt 5-1 while Britain routed Argentina 4-1 to set up a meeting for the ninth place.