JOE Cordina is just one win away from securing a place at Rio 2016 after being given a walkover into the semi-finals of the European Olympic Qualification Event in Samsun, Turkey.

The St Joseph's ace reached the last four when his opponent, Italy's Domenico Valentino, withdrew from Wednesday morning's quarter-final bout.

Cordina, boxing in the 60kg lightweight division, now faces Ireland's David Joyce on Friday.

A comfortable points victory against Hungary’s Miklos Varga on Tuesday had seen Cordina make the quarters.

Cordina will qualify for Rio if he beats Joyce but even if the European champion doesn't reach the final he still has the chance to book an Olympic spot in Turkey.

The two losing semi-finalists box-off for the third qualification slot to join the winner and runner-up on the plane to Brazil later this year.

Rob McCracken, GB Boxing's performance director, said: “The team has performed superbly and it is very good to have reached a point where we have nine boxers one win away from qualification, however, the job is not yet completed.

“This is an extremely tough competition and our boxers need to ensure they keep their focus and maintain the level of performance that has got them this far.”

Semi-finals involving British boxers;

Friday, April 15

1200-1530: Afternoon session

Nicola Adams (GB) vs  Marielle Hansen (NOR) – Approx 1215

Galal Yafai (GB) vs Samuel Carmona (ESP) – 1345

Qais Ashfaq (GB) vs Mykola Butsenko (UKR) – 1400

Antony Fowler (GB) vs Christian Mbilli Assomo (FRA) – 1500

1600-1900: Evening session

Muhammad Ali (GB) vs Daniel Asenov (BUL) – 1615

Joe Cordina (GB) vs David Joyce (IRE) – 1645

Joshua Buatsi (GB) vs Oleksandr Khyzhniak (UKR) – 1745

Lawrence Okolie (GB) vs Abdulkadir Abdullayev (AZE) – 1800

Joe Joyce (GB) vs Istvan Bernath (HUN) – 1845