PRESS RELEASE: More finalists decided today at Eton Dorney

The men's double sculls witnessed two big upsets in the first semifinal with 2009 World Champions and 2011 world silver medallists Germany missing out on qualification for the A-final. 2008 Olympic Champions, David Crawshay and Scott Brennan of Australia also finished near the back of the field meaning they will not get the chance to defend their Olympic title. Instead, Argentina's Ariel Suarez and Cristian Rosso stole the show and surprised their competition by winning their semifinal. These Olympic Games are the Argentinean duo's first. Finishing behind Argentina and also qualifying for Thursday's A-final were 2011 and 2010 World Champions, Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan from New Zealand as well as Italy's two-time Olympic medallist Alessio Sartori and partner Romano Battisti.

In the second semifinal, 2000 Olympic Champions from Slovenia, Iztok Cop and Luka Spik made their comeback, leading the field impressively. The double have not medalled at World Championship level since 2007. Cop, now aged 40, is a two-time Olympic Champion – he was the first athlete to win Olympic gold for Slovenia in 1992. Lithuania and Great Britain also qualify for the A-final with a second and third finish respectively.

In the first semifinal of the lightweight men's four, 2011 world bronze medallists Great Britain won their heat, overtaking Switzerland who led for the first 1,000m. Finishing second, Switzerland qualified their first and only boat for an A-final with the Netherlands qualifying from third.

At age 40, Denmark's Eskild Ebbesen is competing at his fifth Olympic Games in the lightweight men's four. The Danes dominated the field in the second semifinal from the first stroke. Finishing behind the Danes, South Africa qualified its only boat for an A-final in rowing at the London 2012 Olympic Games and reigning World Champions Australia qualified from third.

The first rowing finals will be staged tomorrow at Eton Dorney in the women's pair (W2-), women's quadruple sculls (W4x) and men's eight (M8+).

In the women's pair, two-time consecutive Olympic Champions from Romania, Georgeta Andrunache and Viorica Susanu, will line up in lane six. The duo came back to international rowing this year after a post-Beijing break. If they win gold, Andrunache will have won the most Olympic gold medals ever in the history of rowing – six in total. But the favourites for tomorrow are Helen Glover and Heather Stanning from Great Britain, who have set a new Olympic Best Time in their heat and have remained unbeaten throughout the 2012 Samsung World Rowing Cup season – if they win gold they will be the first British female rowers to win Olympic gold for their nation. The New Zealand women's pair, two-time World Champions Juliette Haigh and Rebecca Scown, will also be aiming for the podium.

In the women's quadruple sculls, Ukraine will be expecting the top spot. They have not lost a race this season and will be striving to prolong their winning streak. 2011 World Champions Germany, stroked by two-time Olympic medallist Britta Oppelt will be strong challengers.

Germany will line up as clear favourites in the men's eight final. Unbeaten since 2009, only a major upset should prevent them from winning Olympic gold tomorrow. The USA are the unknown factor – they qualified for London 2012 at the last minute through the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in May and have not raced any of tomorrow's competitors in 2012 until this Olympic Rowing Regatta. They won their heat and qualified directly for tomorrow's final. Canada hold the World Best Time in this boat class and, despite a more difficult start than other crews at these Olympic Games, the reigning Olympic Champions will do everything within their power to defend their title.

Semifinal racing continues tomorrow 1 August, and Thursday 2 August, with A-finals being held every day from tomorrow 1 August through to 4 August in the 14 Olympic boat classes.

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Results and Start Lists can be viewed here.

Today's race report can be found here.