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…

With or without Penny Taylor, Opals seem to be too strong and devoted. Smashing against the host nation China 90-56, they prove to be as strong on the field as on the bench seats.

For the Aussies, defense was as good as offense in this game against the dragons that fell into the trap of turnovers 20 times, and 10 stolen balls.

Despite a close 1^st quarter, the 2^nd part made the difference for the kiwi girls, who out-scored China by 14 points (21-7) and seizing control over the rebounded balls (56-34).

Biana Lan’s game high of 20 points led the scoring aside of Belinda Snell for Australia by 16, while Suzy Batkovic had 10 dots and 13 boards. The match’s star was point guard Kristi Harrower whose dynamism, energy and performance (10 pts., 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) motivated the whole team and sending it into a 1 sided game that ended with a score average of 34 points.

Opals’ average scoring is 84.7 per game (ranked 2^nd in Olympics)

China’s average in scoring is 70.01 (ranked 4^th in Olympics)

Despite the 3 points average of China that exceeds the Australian’s middling, the Aussies proved that they deserve moving on into a final battle before wearing the gold medals.

While China can play for a bronze, an achievement that Yao and friends couldn’t do, Kiwis have already guaranteed a medal, but it doesn’t seem enough for them; beating the eagles is Beijing’s primary goal for them.

Penny, who stayed on the bench seats, will be hittig the field against the States of America, on the clash for gold. Australians who had already vanished twice against the USA in Olympics, are betting on changing the records and turn around the odds. I wonder what the sports betting sites have to say about that!!!

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!

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.

Seeded 8 in the world chain, James Blake was facing Fernando Gonzalez, twice rewarded by gold in Athens 2004. Blake, who earlier knocked Federer off the singles competition, was carried away by the Spanish veteran.

James, who had a long debate with the Brazilian referee, was furious about giving a point in favor of Gonzalez, saying that the ball touched the Spaniard’s racket before going outside the line! Umpire took away Blake’s claimed point, while Gonzalez kept silent about the fact that the yellow had really stroke his clamor, or did not!

Later on after the game, Gonzalez said that he was too tired to notice if the ball had a physical contact with its racket.

Blake replied that this is a sport of gentlemen, and Fernando didn’t act so, adding that if it has happened with him, he would’ve confessed immediately.

Russia has beaten Lithuania in last year’s Euro-basket, will history repeat itself? Or will unbeaten Lithuanians continue their path towards Beijing’s gold?

Lithuania was leading the game in score all along the 3 quarters of the game, but the 4^th quarter set the game on fire after Russia’s comeback to score, and leading the game for instance. Unfortunately, Kirilenko’s missed free shots would’ve made a huge impact on the score 86-79, despite his 17 points.

This is Russia’s 2^nd loss in 3 games, and will be facing Australia in the next game, both of them a 1-2 record.

On the Lithuanian side, Rimantas Kaukenas who’s coming back from a knee injury contributed with 20 points, as his colleague Ramunas Siskauskas scored 16 points and 7 rebounds; both leading their team to revenge against the Russians who banged them out in the euro-basket semi-finals.

Knowing that they were semi finalists in Athens 2004, and taking a gasp into their achievements until now in the Beijing Olympics, I believe that the Baltic team is starting to look like a good bet to stand on podium and earn a medal.

After all, they have just beaten Europe’s champions!!!

Spain keeps reminding all TV viewers, all crowds, that they didn’t get their title of world champions, by mistake! And that they worked really hard before and here for these Olympics. Pau Gasol scored 13 points, in what was a close, but tough game. Very physically entailing, it was a battle of giants of supremacy under the basket: Gasol Vs Nowitzki

The Spaniard, Lakers team player with the yellow basketball jersey, made 5 rebounds and scored 13 points. In defense he was covered by Marc Gasol, making 8 defensive rebounds and scoring 7 points.

From the German side, inflexible defense on Nowitzki kept him from playing freely under the basket, with 11 points on the count and 5 rebounds. The scorer of the game was Hamann, keeping count till 15.

In what seemed to be a defensive game, odds did not go wrong, and sports betting sites came clear that Spain had a slight advantage over the Germans.

In fact, what came to public views, on TV news and sports news wasn’t the sport result, or the performance of either teams. What mattered the most is a photo including all the members of the Spanish team, stretching their eyes to look like China Style.

Some found it disturbing, and full of roguery, as others said that it means no harm, and it is funny. Both ways, this shouldn’t affect Spain’s running for the gold in these Olympic Games.