OS Beijing 2008 Paralympics Olympics Pekin

Brazil’s dynamic triple-act Cristianne, Daniela and Marta were up to the level in the game against Norway that’s coming out of a huge defeat against Japan by 5 goals to 1. Between the personal skills of samba girls, and the tactical capabilities of Norway’s ladies, this game was definitely a great mixture of 2 different football schools, and a pleasure for the crowds in Tianjin Olympic Sports Center Stadium.

Marta is considered as the world best football woman ever, with just 22 years of age, and is leading her team along with Daniela who gave the lead to the yellows in the 1st minute after the restart (45^th minute).

The world’s phenomenon, Marta, added the 2^nd goal(57^th minute), to put brazil in a comfortable lead, after missing a bright chance to extend the lead, sending Cristianne’s passed ball over the bar.

Norway’s team wasn’t willing to give up, and formed a series of attacks towards the Brazilian goal despite being obliged to return for defense, betting mostly on counter attacks. Conservative tactic paid off in the last 10 minutes of the game, as their bet paid of: an earned penalty kick was transformed into a Norwegian goal in the 82^nd minute by Siri Nordby coming off the bench and hitting the Scandinavians only goal.

Marta and friends are moving up on the scale, and impatiently waiting for their opponent in the final 4.

Auriverde’s strong determination is crystal clear on the field, unwilling to bet except on gold. Odds of witnessing a HOT final 4 are really high, with the best teams of Beijing’s Olympics starting to face each others.

After trailing all along the game, Russian girls finally decided to change what was going to be a 1^st samba victory in Beijing.

They waited till the 4^th quarter of the game, to put in action what they really are capable of doing, starting by out-rebounding Brazil’s devoted jerseys 47-28, tracked by a 20-8 out-scores to leave their South American opponents late by 10 points at the final whistle: 74-64.

Russia will be facing Australia, in a fierce fight of leadership in their group, while Brazil’s women have lost any hope of qualifying, after 3 streak loosed games.

Argentina completed the 1^st round by collecting every possible point, 9 dots from 3 games. The tango boys managed to get to the quarter finals along with the Ivory Coast. Lionel Messi, whose country was so thankful for Barcelona that allowed him to play the Olympics is delighting the crowds with his skills, led the Tango boys on Wednesday to set a new Olympic record of 9 successive victories, from which 6 were achieved in Athens 2004 and 3 here in Beijing, China.

Brazil also moved up to the 8 round, with a perfect defensive lineup that kept its goal clean. The 2 South American teams blew away any Asian hope of qualifying, after knocking out China and Japan. Samba will meet the lions of Africa, the Cameroon and Argentina plays in opposition to Holland.

European bands such as Italy, Netherland and Belgium qualified with no surprises. Squadra Azura are proving the fact that the world championship wasn’t earned by chance, and willing to confirm it against Belgium in the quarter finals.

Orange Holland is still sticking to the team work and specific passing techniques, which we enjoyed in the European championship games.

Africa is absolutely proud with 3 nations qualifying to the 2^nd round. Ivory Coast and Nigeria will be facing each others, with 1 to go back home, and 1 to qualify to the semi-finals.

From the other side, Cameroon facing the Brazilian Samba will have to give all they have to stop coach Dunga and friends, and qualify to the semis.

Sport betting sites and bet panels are getting crowded more and more as the competition turns so fierce among the best teams of the world. Ronaldinho wants to show what he’s really made of, while Messi doesn’t want to fail his home country! For bet fans, I recommend revising it real well before outlaying any penny on a team. They are all capable.

Personally, I would “put money on” that football tickets are sold out already for each and every one of these games, and that crowds and atmosphere in the stadiums, will be the best part of the game.

This was the host’s last hope to qualify; it was a win-win condition for the Asians who have only gained a single point in group C, till now.

China has to win against the mighty Brazilian lineup, that didn’t stop amazing the crowds, especially Chinese crowds who were confused either to applause for their local favorites, or for the Brazilian illustrations, and “chef d’oeuvre”.

Playing without their captain zheng zhi, China was striving to get into the Brazilian red zone, and depended on their left wing, but couldn’t get the ball to a happy ending. From the other side, Brazil’s Ronaldinho was playing the role of jobs distributor, putting plans, drawing tactics and delivering superb passes, leaving the Chinese defense without further to do.

A 1-2 (give and take) technical glide among Brazilians, showed how much harmonizing they are and how smooth they can infiltrate between the Chinese defenders, and get the 1^st goal by Diego (14).

Thiago scored the 2^nd Brazilian goal, from a downtown cruising shot that settled in the net, in the 55^th minute. The 79^th minute also held a spectacular left foot shot, from Thiago himself, to give Brazil its 18^th point in the group, and the qualification to the next round.

China players were on another planet against the samba boys, as coach Dunga sent his bench staff on the field after half time.

Brazil will play the lions of Africa, Cameroon, in the quarter finals, this 16^th of the month.

Marta, woman football player of the year led the samba girls into a win against Korea, 2 goals to 1 in a very spectacular game. Daniella scored the leading goal, after a bad ball clearance from the Chinese goal keeper (14^th minute) and Marta added the insurance 2^nd goal 9 minutes later. Ri Kum Suk, scored to reduce the score, during injury time.

Brazil and USA (Olympic champions) qualified for the next round earning 7 points each from 2 wins and a single draw.

Brazil will face Norway   on the 15^th of August in the quarter finals. Either a part of the crowd in the stadium, or watching it on TV, it definitely is a match to be seen. Both teams are talented, are very technical offensively, and in middle field: a controlling battle will be witnessed!

Ronaldinho! That’s the most repeated word on the mouth of every N.Z. defender in the lineup. He definitely wanted to get on the news and end the critics, not to mention the last bad season with Barcelona.

A 5-0 score, in a one sided football competition. 90 minutes of South American Showtime, to please the crowds, who weren’t kept bored at all, since Brazil’s Anderson scored in the 1^st 3 minutes. And to beat all expected bets and odds, Pato added a goal; followed by 2 more from Ronaldinho and A 5^th goal completed the party. Everyone is getting tickets to enjoy the Brazilian show, and that’s what they are getting!

Ronaldinho contributed by scoring twice(free kick and a penalty shot), in what looked like a video game and a training for the Brazilian team that is leading the group now by 9 points! A quarter-final
game is now insured, with 1 more game to go against China.

The new Italian league player (AC Milan) looked like dancing on samba rhythm music, sending “panic” to all the defenses of the world: Beware, I’m back!

Italian fans, especially Milano’s football addicted supporters are definitely delighted to see such effectiveness and performance from Ronaldinho, man of the match!