The deal is this:

• 20 minutes of sudden-death overtime
• First goal wins
• Teams down to 4 v 4
• Penalty shootout if no further goals

The camera pans onto one Russian fan who looks like she can't take any more of this. She's ghost white, chin on hands. That's how tense it is.

Here are the players... let's go!

The Gangneung Hockey Centre is bubbling with excitement at the break, the crowd indulging in a bit of Mexican Wave action. We're just waiting for the two teams to re-emerge in what we think will be in around three or four minutes.

Enough time for you to grab yourself a morning coffee. Although if that excitement didn't jolt you into life then I don't know what will.

Rob Walker
Commentator on BBC TV

Among that Norwegian dominance, Marit Bjorgen has been at the very top. This is the race that she has been so consistent in for so many years.

So here we are. The final event of the Olympic Games is underway. Sad face.

Norway's Marit Bjorgen is competing in her final ever race and she is looking for yet another gold after she became the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time, with bronze in the team sprint.

Her Swedish rival Charlotte Kalla is also up for contention.

Image source, Reuters

Belinda Moore: The Ice Hockey final is insane! OAR equalise with 55” on the clock. Heading to overtime.

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

This is why sport is so incredible. Nothing is scripted, two teams are giving it everything they can, with an Olympic medal on the line.

The OAR don't want to leave the back gate open now - their netminder is back on.

Less than 10 seconds left... German face-off... they can't... nope, they can't.

Phew! Deep breathes people. A few minutes to recover after that helter-skelter final 10 minutes. And then it is overtime...

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

Utter. Disbelief.

Nikita Gusev is the hero of the tournament for OAR. Germany can't believe it.

This is absolutely astonishing.

Germany were in the perfect position, they were on the powerplay and just needed to clear.

Image source, Getty Images

GOALLLLLLL! The Russians have rescued it with 55 seconds left. Can. You. Believe. It.

An almighty scramble in the Germany goalmouth ends with Nikita Gusev clipping into the roof of the net.

This is getting silly now. DO NOT rule out another twist....

Russia take off their netminder. He who dares wins...

Germany are on the verge of history. Just three minutes to see out. Here comes the Russian onslaught...

Five minutes left... anyone for a fairytale finish? OH MY WORD! We've got it!!

Germany - the rank outsiders - take the lead for the first time in the gold-medal match. Jonas Muller smacks in what could be the winner, taking his time to pick out his spot in the bottom corner.

Kent Simpson
Commentator on BBC TV

How many times have we seen a goal scored straight after another?! Talk about executing when you get the chance.

Germany will not go away. They're amazing!

Image source, Getty Images

Unbelievable! More drama than an Eastenders Christmas special in the Gangneung Hockey Centre.

The Russian celebrations last for TEN seconds as Germany instantly hit back through Dominik Kahun.

He keeps his head - unlike the Russian players - to fire in from a central position.

Seth Bennett
Commentator on BBC TV

What a fantastic goal. When the OAR needed one of their superstars to weigh in with a goal, Nikita Gusev strikes.

Is that the goal that takes gold back to Russia?

Is this the gold-winning goal? The OAR end Germany's resistance in the most fortunate of circumstances, Nikita Gusev's fierce shot from an acute angle on the right firing in off the helmet of Germany keeper Danny Aus Den Birken.

Germany are clean through as they cut Russia open on the counter... only for Sergei Kalinin to deny them with some brave defending. He bundles the German over and clatters into the post shoulder-first for his trouble. Ouch.

The Russians have the firepower to create something out of nothing - and Alexander Barabanov tries to do exactly that. He skips through a couple of German challenges but can't convert. Then the Germans break...

Halfway through the third period and both sides have clammed up. No chances to report at either end.

Image source, Getty Images