OS Beijing 2008 Paralympics Olympics Pekin

It took only a single goal, to earn gold. Lionel Messi and friends have been terrific along the tournament in Beijing, and their efforts just paid off. 1-0 the final score, with 5 minutes of additional time ended Nigeria’s hopes of another golden medal.

Argentina just earned its 4^th Olympic medal overall, of which 2 silver rewards and 2 golden medals in a row (2004’s Athens, 2008’s Beijing).

1^st half of the game included chances for both sides: Lionel Messi for the tango team was architecting many deliveries of the ball while Okoronkwo and obemwingie were leading Africa’s attacks. Although Argentina possessed the ball for the longest part of the half, Africans were clearly more dangerous, bidding on a first half opener and a calm break. Blue and White jerseys weren’t that easy, unwilling to compromise in the final game for gold, and opting to revenge their loss in Atlanta’s games.

As the 2^nd half got whistled on, South Americans looked a bit better with an excess of energy, maybe experience too while Africa’s hopes were not being at their performace’s peak.The advantage was rapidly clear on the score board, when Angel DE Maria gave the lead for the tango boys (58th minute ); he was served by Magical Lionel Messi who pulled the defense towards him, leaving a gap, from where he delivered the ball.

Despite the African attempts to find an equalizer, Nigeria was unable to find the back of the net and were always missing on scorers but that didn’t stop them from trying and creating lanes. Sergio Romero, Argentina’s goal keeper made a pretty nice job out there keeping the Tango’s web safe.

Referees signaled 5 extra minutes into the game, and that wasn’t enough to break the South American defensive lines.

TV channels reflected how thankful Football fans are for Barcelona that allowed Messi’s presence in Beijing’s Olympics; the new Maradona’s magic touches were the main attraction in the soccer tournament as he led his nation’s team for gold medals.

Notice that season 2007-2008 seems too promising for Argentina: sports news are pointing at it as the best team in the world, and a definitely winning bet. Despite Ronaldinho’s Brazil, Tangos were leading in the betting sites and panels and that maybe pushed them further more into winning!

Nigeria’s silver medal isn’t much of a disappointment, it’s been a while since the African team has been rewarded; they must be very satisfied with the result especially that they were not in their best shapes today…

There’s no other chance despite winning. Brazil and Belgium both with a boiling desire to take the bronze medal weren’t willing to conciliate or let it look easy. Belgium who failed to pass by the Nigerians is semi-finals and Samba boys unable to qualify after falling deep in face of the Tangos were both determined to win.

Brazil that was severely criticized since the beginning of Beijing’s Olympics had to achieve something… and that was the last opportunity for Dunga and his team.

Despite the lack of inspiration, Brazil’s need and desire to shut the sports news criticism off was their only motivation; they stepped onto the field setting their own rules and pressure all along half an hour; Rafinha’s ball feeding and Diego’s finishing managed to find the red demons’ back of the net in the 27^th minute!

The last 15 minutes of the 1^st episode were a bit hush on the Selacao but fortunately found some spaces in the European team and scored again. This time it was Jo who made causalities (45th minute) in Belgium’s line up, sending them into a stressfull break time.

As the 2^nd half was kicked off, everyone was expecting a show time from the Selacao, or at least an equalizer from Belgium to set the game on fire… but that was clearly a badly posted bet on 2 teams whose attacks were so rare, as they spent almost 30 minutes in midfield. Chances of scoring were rare and both teams were bidding on long range shots until Jo scored again with almost 7 minutes to play! Belgium dreams of a medal faded for good with the 3^rd Brazilian goal.

Dunga’s reward of bronze will not be much of a delight for the nation of Samba. For them coming 2^nd is losing. There bidding on gold was vanished in a pathetic game with Argentina and a failure of 3 goals to none.

For the crowds and TV viewers, 96 minutes of anticipation and mental strain were needed to hear the final whistle and see the winner of this football carnival! As for the players, it was definitely the longest minutes of their lives, thus the greatest feeling ever for the Americans who won again in Olympics, beating Brazil by 1 goal after 6 minutes from the additional period.

The 1^st 30 minute of the match illustrated the intense fear and respect shared among the 2 poles of the game, with 22 ladies fighting for every ball and a crowded defensive area at each side of the field. What started like an American domination was terminated by a parade of skills from Marta and Cristianne, who made the Yankees get into a very stressful 20 minutes. Luckily, the score was 0 to 0 at the break and no damage was made.

USA’s won 3 Football gold medals in 4 Olympics; 2 rewards in a row (Beijing’s2008- Athens2004)

FIFA’s best player of the year, Marta, was closely guarded and insistently double teamed with every ball possession, in order to paralyze the master Samba’s key to success. German policy of bugging Marta was a good placed bet to keep her away from scoring.

Both teams proved to earn a final game, and went into over time; another chance to end the game before the penalty lucky kicks. Extra time is an advantage to the North Americans who proved to have a better physical endurance in the last minutes. Carli Lloyd put the surplus of power and energy into action and stroke Brazil’s web (96th minute) with the most precious goal in Beijing’s Olympics.

Simply, it was gold worthy goal, and that’s all what mattered in fact for the BACK to BACK champions. As for the Samba girls, a nation’s bidding on them to achieve what the men’s team couldn’t do failed again; Beijing’s a disaster for Brazilian football, yet, a paradise for the USA.

Rainy day in Beijing and a very wet grass to play on, as Japan and Germany play for bronze medal in football. The 1^st half witnessed 4 major Japanese occasions but none of them found the back of the net. Japs clearly bidding on an early opening to struck the Deutschland’s ego turned into a losing bet; German goal keeper, Nadine, made a terrific job in saving all 4 Geishas’ attempts, especially a long range shot and a ball off the line with the help of her defenders. On the break, the score was 0 to 0 as crowds were expecting a different type and style of playing after watching 45 minutes of ball movement in midfield, filled with a lack of ball control and strategies.

The 2^nd half was all about setting the German rules! 3 early substitutes launched the German machine in face of the tired Asians who gave it all in the1^st part. Substitute Fatmire Bajramaj was behind the big bang of the match placing the ball into the red dot’s web in the 67^th minute putting Germany in the lead.

Germany’s medal in Beijing’s games is the 3^rd successive bronze in 3 Olympics

Japan’s trials to equalize came to a complete failure; Bajramaj skillfully scored again in the 87^th minute, killing any Asian’s odds and leaving no room for Japan on the podium. A 2^nd half totally different from the 1^st sent Geishas back home with no medals.

Absolutely, Messi’s game, 3 goals to none !!!!!

Both teams with 4 to 5 defenders guarding the goal close “man to man” double team on Lionel Messi and a closely guarded Ronaldinho.

Argentina and Brazil are both watching over the other’s winning keys now in order to cuff later. Almost 70% of the half was being played in midfield, with a slight advantage to the tango boys, who seemed to be a bit more special on the personal skills level

Blue and white striped jerseys are delivering every ball to Messi, who manages the distribution and planning, aided by Riquelme, the holder of legendary number 10, that once belonged to Diego Armando Maradona, who by the way, was in the VIP section applauding his national  players.

As for Brazilian coach Dunga who was betting on keeping Pato on the bench seats as an additional weapon to use in the last minutes, it was definitely a tensed period with Argentina missing on 2 dangerous occasions.

Brazil had its turn too, but always lacking in number of attackers to finish the ball, and such was the case for the Tangos. As mentioned before, both Southern betting on defense to launch a successful attack.

Brazil has the best offensive line up in

Beijing’s Olympics with 11 goals, and

The best defense with 0 goals brought home

In all 4 games played.

The 2^nd half was a disaster for the Selacao despite the multitude of substitutions, with an obviously better Tango team, scoring 3 goals, to end the yellow crawl towards gold, and to add a new humiliation on Dunga’s team, that had been heavily criticized in the press and sports news.

Pounding all odds and expectations, Argentina’s appetite for scoring was endless, Aguero hitting in the opening (52^nd minute), doubled the score 5 minutes later.

Selacao selection unable to stop Messi’s danger along with Riquelme and friends, earned 2 red cards after Riquelme’s penalty (3^rd goal-78^th minute) coming to finish over the hopes of Ronaldinho who can still fight for a bronze medal.

The stadium was trembling, under the screams and cheers of supporters. Crazy atmosphere was a great set up for a crazy game. Belgium was bidding on her defensive walls that have already beaten Italy’s offensive forces, while Nigeria’s bet was all around its international players.

1^st half witnessed a Crowdie defensive line up on the European side, but no one was really marking an opponent. Missing out on the man to man strategy cost them an early goal by Adefemi in 17th minute. As the teams went into relaxation, sports news was already reminding the readers and TV viewers of Nigeria’s 1996 team that won the gold in Atlanta.

As the 2^nd half was whistled on, everyone was betting on an attacking Belgium, unlike in the 1^st part, but if you want to place a bet, you’d rather think twice!! Nigeria kept on controlling the midfield and its attacks were about to turn into half a dozen goals; luckily the European goal keeper was always there, to do what his defenders wouldn’t do!!

Poor defensive display by Belgium cost them 3 more goals in 30 minutes. Ogbuke scored Nigeria’s second and third hits in minutes 59 and 72, while Africa’s star Okonokwo stroke Belgs with a 4^th goal of pure talent, with 12 minutes remaining.

Being in lead, Africans were just pushing away the ball from their area keeping it safe, with an unorganized and clearly nervous attacking from Belgium, desperate for a goal and earning a free kick that was transformed into a clean hit in the 88^th minute by Ciman, saving what’s left of the honor and pride.

Nigeria will face the winner of Brazil’s game with Argentina, in a superb dual that will be seen on TV by millions around the world. It is jam period in Sport betting sites, while bidding panels’ employees are ordering more sheets and ink to print on!

19th of August

Nigeria Vs Belgium

Argentina Vs Brazil

In front of 50000 spectators in Workers Stadium, USA faced China for the last ticket into the final game against the mighty samba.

An early opening goal by Ohno sparked the game…. Both teams creating chances, and showing good skills and team coherence. The 3 times gold medalist had to wait for the 41^st minute of the game to find an equalizer by Angela Hucles. 3 minutes later, and under the influence of the score balancing, Japan’s defensive lineup cracked unable to stop Lori Chalupny in the area, encasing a 3^rd goal for America. Unfortunately, Japs had to go to the lockers with a trail of 2 goals; tough mission to accomplish, thus, they didn’t seem down!

The 2^nd half of the game was also a delight for the crowded stadium and TV viewers, who were watching a very tactical game in midfield, a fierce battle on every ball. 25 minutes of exchanging harassment between the 2 poles, Heather O’reilly scored again with a magnificent left footer that found the corner of the net, giving the States a small chance to relieve tension; it was already 3-1 and only 20 minutes to play. Japan’s offense wasn’t effective, and was being stopped by the 3 times medalist, who only had to get together and to keep the Geishas away from scoring!

They say that the best way to defend, is to attack! And so did Angela Hucles who fooled the Jap. Goal keeper and scored a 4^th hit with only 10 minutes to go.

Eriko Arakawa had to save the Japanese honor, and scored in the last minute, bringing the score to 4-2 with the final whistle.

USA - Brazil, a match that all the football fans are waiting for. With betting sites from one side, and sports news in another, the game’s tickets have already been sold out, and spectators are setting their reminders to be part of the feminine display, filled with class, creativity and performance.

Both sides’ coaches declared ahead of this semi-final, that errors aren’t allowed, neither betting on the opponents’ lack of luck now! Talk is cheap, what really matters are the actions!

Brazil’s massacring the Germans 4-1 is an upside down in football’s planet, a humiliation for the world champions who were totally dominated….

Nevertheless, for every consequence there’s a cause! This time, it was Pele, the legendary football player! Or shall I call her Marta?

The FIFA woman best player of the year, newly surnamed as females’ Pele, and orchestra’s chief, was the architect behind all the Brazilian sketches against the Deutschland

Despite a European strong start, a close defense on Marta and a goal by Birgit Prinz in 10^th minute, the samba girls were nothing but offended, and suddenly… somewhat set them ON! Green light for the yellow jerseys, who responded to the USA’s domination in the first twenty minutes, by a series of attacks where Marta’s intention was to be a magnet for the German defense and pulling them towards her, keeping a team mate free to advance… Germans fell for the trick, and Marta passed a decisive ball to Formiga who settled the score (49^th minute) sending her team into a relaxing break!

What came after the half was twice as good as the 1^st shift of the game. Brazil’s reputation of thrilling the crowds came true once again when Cristianne scored the 2^nd for the canaries.

It was clear that Brazil was full of class and creativity. What else can u expect when you have a Marta and a Cristianne on the field? Germans could do nothing but watch the Brazilians dance and enjoy their times… a joy that was enormous with Marta’s third Goal (53^rd minute) and Cristianne’s extra dot (76^th minute) in a counter attack launched by Marta.

Brazil’s now so close to gold, and plays the winner of USA Vs Japan, while Germans travel to Beijing in a trial to collect bronze.

A wholesome African derby game, joining as one an unbelievable wonderful crowd betting on a happy ending, and hoping to be the very last team to join Brazil’s Selacao, Italy’s Squadra Azura and Argentina’s tango boys into the semi-finals, and benefit from winning at least a medal, and why not? A golden one!

As the 1^st half was going to an end, not much was happening on the game’s field, until seconds from reaching the break, when Peter Odemwingie stroke a VOLET shot into the elephants’ net, giving Nigeria the lead by 1 to null.

After the break, it was a bit different. Cote d’Ivoire managing a chance or two every few minutes, yet incapable of setting the game their way. Unwilling to get the fixture sweep away, the whole team was participating in building offensive strategies, leaving a vulnerable defense behind; scoring a goal was the last and only hope, it’s either that, or going home.

In the 82^nd minute, Cameroonian Chinedu earned a penalty after being brought down by the Orange defender; captain Obinna converted the shot into a 2^nd goal, killing any coasters’ hope of moving on in the Olympics.

Nigeria will face Belgium in the last game before the final! Both nations are eager to step into Beijing’s ultimate game and set a winning history. Sports news affirmed the similarity between Nigeria’s Olympic winners in 94 and Nigeria’s 2008 team. Will Africans win again, and beat any expected odds? Will the dream team of Africa be a nightmare for all Belgium efforts?