Alan Campbell is through to Olympic single sculls final

Video caption, Coleraine's Alan Campbell is confident going in to Friday's final of the single sculls at Eton Dorney.

Coleraine rower Alan Campbell has qualified for the Olympic final of the single sculls at Eton Dorney.

The 29-year-old finished second in the semi-finals on Wednesday behind race favourite Ondrej Synek of the Czech Republic in a time of 7:18:92.

Campbell took a commanding early lead but eased off in the closing stages with a place in Friday's final secure.

He is now well poised to win a first Olympic medal for Great Britain in the men's single sculls event since 1928.

Campbell signalled a return to form in the heats, taking victory on Saturday in 6:47:62. He also won his quarter-final on Monday, beating German rival Marcel Hacker into second, clocking a time of 6:52:10.

Although his semi-final was a slower affair, Campbell showed his intent by going out strong in the first half of the race.

He was content to let Synek take control in the latter stages with both men comfortably making sure of a top three finish to quailfy for Friday's final.