Big night for armchair sports fans

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Tonight, Friday, will probably involve armchair Finnish sports fans in a TV marathon, as the Olympics draw towards their close and Finland's curling and hockey teams seek honours.
      The men's curling gold medals will be determined this evening from 18:30, with Finland under their captain Markku Uusipaavalniemi pitted against the Canadians led by veteran Russ Howard, 50. The Finns probably go into the match as slight underdogs, despite having defeated Canada in the preliminary round, and also despite having the advantage of "last stone".
      Finland has experienced a real curling boom in recent days, following the success of the team and a certain ennui among fans of other winter sports, who have seen highly-fancied contenders fail to secure the medals that were anticipated. Audience figures for curling matches have topped one million viewers.
     
Later in the evening, at 22:00 local time, the Finnish Lions take on Russia in the semi-finals of the men's ice hockey, playing for a chance to take gold in the final against either the Czech Republic or "the neighbours we love to hate", Sweden.
      The Finns are the only unbeaten team left in the tournament, but they struggled at times in overcoming Team USA in the quarter-finals, and another nerve-wracking night is likely to be in prospect.
     
Before that, there will be excitement on the slopes, as Tanja Poutiainen goes in the second run of the women's giant slalom, starting from around 14:00. Poutiainen is handily placed in 3rd spot after the first run, 0.32 seconds behind Julia Mancuso of the United States.
      Poutiainen, who was sixth in the slalom on Wednesday, was the 2005 World Cup winner in the giant slalom, but she has struggled with form this season.


Links:
  Torino 2006 Official Site

Helsingin Sanomat