Fiji will take on Great Britain on Thursday night in the Men's Rugby Sevens Gold Medal Match at the Deodoro Stadium after both sides won their semi-final matches earlier in the day. 

Fiji seal first ever Olympic medal

Fiji defeated Japan 20-5 in the day's first semi-final on tries from Semi Kunatani, Josua Tuisova, Jerry Tuwai and Vatemo Ravouvou. Ravouvou opened the scoring less than two minutes into the game before Japan, who've had a brilliant tournament, responded when Teruya Goto went over for a score which knotted the game up at 5-all. Yet, just over a minute later, Tuisova went over for a stunning try just before the break. 

Dan Norton made a try-saving tackle just before the half to keep Team GB's deficit to 5-0. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Dan Norton made a try-saving tackle just before the half to keep Team GB's deficit to 5-0. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

The Fijians, who knew that a semifinal victory would clinch their nation's first ever Olympic medal, carried over their momentum from the end of the first half when Kunatani made it 15-5 less than a minute into the second half. Two minutes later, Tuwai went over to seal the victory.

Team GB come from behind to beat South Africa

In the afternoon's second semifinal, Team GB found themselves in another gritty, tactical battle. After a tight 5-0 victory over Argentina in Wednesday's quarterfinal, they had to come from behind again on Thursday to beat South Africa 7-5. The Springboks went ahead less than two minutes into the game when Kyle Brown went over put his nation ahead. However, the conversion attempt by Cecil Afrika was missed, which would prove to be fatal for South Africa later on. 

Dan Norton hit back almost immediately from the restart for Team GB, and Tom Mitchell converted to give the Britons a 7-5 lead. Neither side managed to create a clear-cut scoring chance for the next several minutes, and it looked as though the game would peter out with that scoreline. Yet, with less than a minute remaining on the clock, South Africa came flying downfield. They managed to get within a handful of metres of scoring, but could not get over before Team GB won the ball back, and managed to run out the clock. 

Tournament ends for Team USA

Earlier in the day, action took place as well to determine each team's final finishing position. Team USA, who were immensely unlucky not to advance out of their group, defeated Spain 24-12 to finish in 9th place. Two tries from Carlin Isles and scores from Danny Barrett in addition to Maka Unufe were more than enough to overcome the Spaniards.

Medal Round is set

The tournament will conclude later this evening. South Africa will play Japan in the Bronze Medal Match at 18.30 local time. Following that, Team GB will take on Fiji in the Gold Medal Match at 19.00.

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About the author
Liam McMahon
American sports journalist based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin who has been affiliated with VAVEL for more than a year. Co-editor of the soccer section at VAVEL USA and international football writer at VAVEL UK.