Rowing: Nine British crews through after semi-final thrills

Nine British crews contest today's world cup finals on Amsterdam's Bosbaan course after an excellent showing in the semis. The men's eight succeeded in a heart-stopper for two qualifying places with the Chinese who led them and the Australians who nearly caught them. Britain's second eight that includes men from the coxless four and pair who were not entered in their own events, qualified for the final directly in Friday's heats.

Double scullers Matt Wells and Stephen Rowbotham, the lightweight double of Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter, and the women's quadruple scullers all won. The men's lightweight four and the lightweight double scullers Helen Casey and Hester Goodsell took second places.

Alan Campbell drew world champion, Mahe Drysdale, and Olympic champion, Olaf Tufte, in the single sculls. He let themfight for the first two places and kept an eye onSjoerd Hamburger who made a challenge for the third qualifying place.

The women's eight came through a repechage, and the lightweight single sculler Alasdair Leighton-Crawford also qualified for the final.