World Cup champions Germany and Spain gatecrashed into the hockey final on Thursday after avenging the heartbreak at Athens four years ago. Spain fought back after being two goals down to upset reigning Olympic champions Australia 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal, Santi Freixa scoring the winner two minutes before the final whistle. Germany defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out in the other semifinal after the European heavyweights were locked 1-1 at the end of extra-time.

Spain had lost to Australia and Germany were beaten by the Dutch in the semifinals at Athens, but defied the form book and pre-tournament predictions to set up an intriguing gold medal clash on Saturday.

It will be Germany’s first final since winning the gold medal at Barcelona in 1992, while Spain will bid for their first Olympic title after losing the deciders in 1980 and 1996.

Australia appeared to have sewn up the game when Des Abbott scored within 30 seconds of the start and Eddie Ockenden increased the margin early in the second half.

Spain, often regarded as the best team never to have won the Olympic title, drew level with Eduard Tubau scoring twice in a five-minute burst before Freixa slammed the winner following a penalty corner.

A desperate Australia took the unusual step to replace goalkeeper Stephen Lambert with a striker in a bid to equalise in the last two minutes, but the Spaniards held their ground to complete a remarkable win.

Earlier, Germany rode on a rare error by Dutch sharpshooter Taeke Taekema in the penalty shootout to make their first Olympic final in 16 years. The shootout itself went into sudden death as both teams drew 3-3 after the first 10 strokes. REUTERS