THERE AREN'T MANY SPORTS TOURNAMENTS IN THE WORLD WHERE THE SEMIFINALS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE FINAL, BUT THAT'S EXACTLY THE SITUATION FOR CANADA AND MEXICO FRIDAY NIGHT IN WOMEN'S OLYMPIC SOCCER QUALIFYING AT BC PLACE IN VANCOUVER.

CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA AND HYUNDAI WILL TEAM UP FRIDAY NIGHT (CBCSPORTS.CA, 10 P.M. ET) IN VANCOUVER FOR A COACHING SYMPOSIUM AS PART OF 'HYUNDAI HOCKEY NATION.'

THE DENVER NUGGETS AND TORONTO RAPTORS BOTH HAVE LEADING SCORERS FROM ITALY, BUT ONLY ONE OF THOSE COUNTRYMEN WILL BE AVAILABLE FRIDAY NIGHT.

ROB GRONKOWSKI'S PLAYING STATUS FOR THE SUPER BOWL WAS LISTED AS QUESTIONABLE ON FRIDAY AFTER THE STAR TIGHT END MISSED THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS PRACTICE FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT DAY WITH AN INJURED LEFT ANKLE.

GLENN HOWARD AND KEVIN MARTIN ARE TIED WITH 4-0 RECORDS FRIDAY AFTER SEVEN DRAWS AT THE CAPITAL ONE GRAND SLAM OF CURLING.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC SURVIVED ANDY MURRAY'S FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN, WINNING IN FIVE SETS TO ENSURE A THIRD STRAIGHT GRAND SLAM FINAL AGAINST RAFAEL NADAL.