Rimmer (left) and Ellis carry British hopes in the 800m final

Ellis qualified impressively from the first heat in third with a time of one minute 49.23 while Rimmer went through as a fastest loser in 1.47:82.

It was a bad day for Jade Johnson, who took no part in the long jump after injuring her knee in the warm-up.

Heptathlete Kelly Sotherton also failed to make the final with a best of 6.40m.

Ellis only scraped into the semi-finals as a fastest loser after a brave display of front running in his heat back-fired.

I don't know what was wrong with me but I'm in the final now so there is all to play for Michael Rimmer

The 24-year-old ran a more controlled race in the semis and goes into the final in confident mood.

"I was more tactically aware and timed my race a lot better," Ellis told BBC Sport.

"I'm much happier with my performance and it is great for both of us to be in the final."

Rimmer could not repeat his dominant first-round performance and trailed home fifth in a fast semi-final but is determined to fine tune his tactics for the final.

"I'm lucky to get through," said Rimmer, who was without his lucky t-shirt for the race.

"I don't know what was wrong with me but I'm in the final now so there is all to play for."

Helen Clitheroe qualified for Sunday's 1500m final as a fastest loser but Commonwealth champion Lisa Dobriskey failed to go through.

The 1500m is a tough competition and Clitheroe said, "In the circumstances and against tough opponents I had to race this as a final."

Commonwealth bronze medallist Andy Turner impressively qualified for the semi-finals of the 110m hurdles in 13.52 seconds alongside team-mate David Hughes (13.66).

Will Sharman, making his Team GB debut, failed to advance.

Johnson's injury capped a mixed day for the British squad as she was carried off the field on a stretcher and rushed out of the Ullevi stadium.