![Russia goes for repeat gold against Finland in Olympic hockey final](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/17/17/ec/Russia-goes-for-repeat-gold-against-164241.jpg)
-
US defends law forcing sale of TikTok app
-
Messi out for defending champ Miami as Leagues Cup begins
-
Australia bans uranium mining at Indigenous site
-
Divers attempt to reach sunken Philippine oil tanker
-
Trump accuses Harris of anti-Semitism in overblown speech
-
Coughlin clings to lead at LPGA Canadian Women's Open
-
Trump offers tech sector policy flips ahead of election
-
Spacecraft to swing by Earth, Moon on path to Jupiter
-
What's the fallout of Mexican drug lords' capture?
-
Video game makers see actors as AI 'data,' says union on strike
-
Chinese qualifier Shang to face Thompson in ATP Atlanta semis
-
'Massive attack' on French rail threatens more chaos
-
'We did it!': France breathes sigh of relief after Olympics ceremony
-
Regional concern grows as Venezuela blocks vote observers
-
Historic river parade, Dion show-stopper ignite Paris Olympics
-
Rainy Paris Olympic parade dampens many spectators' spirits
-
The one of a kind Paris opening ceremony: five memorable moments
-
Justin Timberlake seeks to dismiss DUI case
-
Warner Brothers Discovery sues NBA over Amazon rights deal
-
Kobe Bryant locker, Maradona jersey up for auction in New York
-
Historic river parade launches Paris Olympics
-
New York family of Holocaust victim reclaims Nazi-looted art
-
NASA Mars rover captures rock that could hold fossilized microbes
-
Thousands evacuate season's biggest wildfire in northern California
-
Ethiopia mourns victims of landslide tragedy
-
Lady Gaga adds sparkle to star-studded Olympic show
-
Airbus and Boeing supremacy secure despite turbulence
-
Teams sail down Seine in rain-soaked Olympics opening ceremony
-
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
-
Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine
-
Mott's England future uncertain as ECB chief fails to offer support
-
Trump meets Israeli PM Netanyahu in Florida
-
S.African police say 95 Libyans detained at suspected military camp
-
Blinken set for talks with Chinese counterpart in Laos
-
Norris heads Piastri in McLaren one-two at Belgian GP practice
-
G20 seeks common ground on taxing super-rich
-
European medicines watchdog rejects new Alzheimer's drug
-
Habib, Ebden eye Alcaraz and Djokovic shocks at Olympics tennis
-
Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris opening ceremony
-
Two Sinaloa Cartel leaders face US charges after stunning capture
-
Spain train driver jailed for 2.5 years over deadly 2013 crash
-
Paris poised for Olympic opening ceremony spectacular
-
Judoka fails doping test in first case at Paris Olympics
-
Holder and Da Silva keep England at bay after West Indies collapse
-
Alpine F1 boss Bruno Famin to leave in August
-
Ethiopia declares three days of mourning after landslide tragedy
-
Brazilian dunes dotted with dazzling pools make UNESCO heritage list
-
Rain, cooling slow huge blaze in Canada's Jasper park
-
French Rugby's Jaminet suspended 34 weeks after racist video: Federation
-
Osaka looking to turbo-charge comeback at Paris Olympics
![Russia goes for repeat gold against Finland in Olympic hockey final](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/17/17/ec/Russia-goes-for-repeat-gold-against-164241.jpg)
Russia goes for repeat gold against Finland in Olympic hockey final
Russia will face Finland for Beijing Olympic hockey gold after the two pre-tournament favourites on Friday scraped past semifinal opponents Sweden and Slovakia to set up a battle of northern neighbours.
The Russians had to pull out a 2-1 overtime win over Sweden to gain a shot at a second straight gold medal, while Finland beat Slovakia 2-0 for a chance to collect the only colour missing from its crowded medal case in Sunday's final.
The two finalists came into Beijing as the teams to watch after the NHL cited pandemic concerns in barring its Canadian, American, and European stars from participating, a move that disproportionately weakened the NHL-heavy Canadians and Americans.
In Friday's first semi, Finland's tight defense ended the Cinderella hopes of a speedy Slovakian team.
Finland's Sakari Manninen slid one under sprawling goalie Patrik Rybar in the first period and the Finns held on, scoring a second time on an open Slovak net in the final minute.
Slovakia's charge was led again by 17-year-old phenom Juraj Slafkovksy, the tournament's joint top goal-scorer and a leading NHL prospect.
The big teenager made a nuisance of himself in front of goal once more, but the stingy Finnish defenders managed to shut him down before he could find the net.
Since 1988, Finland have won two silver and four bronze at the Olympics but are in the gold medal match for the first time in 16 years.
"It's huge for everybody individually, as a team and as a hockey country," Finland's Harri Sateri said of making the final.
"It's a big thing."
The Russians -- who have occasionally failed to click despite being stocked with top players from its tough pro league -- had a harder time with the Swedes.
Russia took the lead on an Anton Slepyshev goal early in the second period, but Sweden's Anton Lander levelled it 1-1 down the stretch, sending it to a penalty shootout won by Russia.
Both teams bring a wealth of championship experience into the final, with Russia returning several top players from its gold-medal winning side from Pyeongchang in 2018.
Finland, meanwhile, have several veterans from their 2019 world championship team, and much of the squad is made up of teammates who play together in the top leagues of Russia and Finland.
burs-dma/dj
B.Godinho--PC