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…

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.

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.

Tango boys were clearly better in the game, controlling the whole football field and showing a very charismatic team understanding through the quick passes and strategies, mainly at the last 20 minutes of the game that was held without scoring till the 78^th minute.

Australians were embracing all the “blue and white jerseys”, keeping Argentineans away from getting the 1^st goal of the game. Good defense joint by some luck saved the ausie goal keeper several times. After a good offensive set up and a very well sketched collective work of passing the ball, Angel Di Maria ended the job by scoring, 12 minutes from the final whistle.

Argentina is easily leading its group, as the qualifying seems closer and easier, game after game.

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!