The Olympics Thread

[Football-Tipper]

Brazil v Belgium Live Feed 10pm KO

[AJ]

Thursday 7 August 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Australia U23 v Serbia U23 (10:00BST)	3.90	3.40	2.20	100.51 %	Details »
Hide « Australia U23 v Serbia U23
Brazil U23 v Belgium U23 (10:00BST)	1.30	5.40	17.50	101.16 %	Details »
Hide « Brazil U23 v Belgium U23
Honduras U23 v Italy U23 (10:00BST)	11.00	5.40	1.38	100.07 %	Details »
Hide « Honduras U23 v Italy U23
Japan U23 v USA U23 (10:00BST)	8.00	4.50	2.82	70.18 %	Details »
Hide « Japan U23 v USA U23
China U23 v New Zealand U23 (12:45BST)	1.56	4.20	8.40	99.82 %	Details »
Hide « China U23 v New Zealand U23
Côte d'Ivoire U23 v Argentina U23 (12:45BST)	9.50	4.80	1.50	98.03 %	Details »
Hide « Côte d'Ivoire U23 v Argentina U23
Netherlands U23 v Nigeria U23 (12:45BST)	2.06	3.50	4.30	100.37 %	Details »
Hide « Netherlands U23 v Nigeria U23
South Korea U23 v Cameroon U23 (12:45BST)	3.60	3.55	2.28	99.81 %	Details »

[AJ]

China at 1.56 is the easiest free money you will ever set your eyes upon

[DeMMa]

^^ Explain why?

Argentina more certain than China imho

[AJ]

because the ivory coast squad is made up of full time professional players from big clubs.

With the exception of Ryan Nelson and Chris Killen, the rest of the NZ squad is semi professional at best, it's a mixture of students and part timers.

Check it out. This is a squad going down to three heavy defeats. God only knows what Brazil will do to them

Goalkeepers: Liam Little (Otago United), Jacob Spoonley (Miramar Rangers)
Defenders: Michael Boxall (Santa Barbara University), Ian Hogg (Hawke’s Bay United), Sam Jenkins (Hawke’s Bay United), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Steven Old (Macarthur Rams), Jack Pelter (Unattached), Aaron Scott (Waikato FC), Cole Tinkler (Team Wellington)
Midfield: Jeremy Brockie (Hawke’s Bay United) Simon Elliott (Unattached), Craig Henderson (Dartmouth College), Cole Peverley (Hawke’s Bay United), Shaun van Rooyen (Waikato FC)
Forwards: Daniel Ellensohn (Team Wellington) Chris Killen (Celtic), Sam Messam (Hawke’s Bay United)

[DeMMa]

Simon Elliot was @ Fulham in EPL last season.

China are shite AJ.. no guns?

[DeMMa]

******* Cmon Ausssiesss

[Yuzz]

74' China U21 0 - 1 New Zealand U21

******* easiest free money

[AJ]

yep, that was a shocker. Not a great start, but we'll come good

[DeMMa]

Told ya so

Hey all i wanna know your thoughts on

WOMEN FOOTBALL

USA vs JAPAN Start: Closing: Market is open. Pay on result after normal time.

1. USA 2. JAPAN

1.30

4.75

10.00

Is Japan to win or draw @ $2.50 worth it?

[gurudave]

I've just loaded up on Brazil/Argentina double @ 1.36 on Betfair. Brazil self explanatory against an incredibly soft New Zealand lineup and although I hate to bet against my Country I'm using my head here. Australia's attack is just very weak and I can't see them troubling Argentina's defence. Archie Thompson was shutdown against Serbia and our one goal was fairly lucky. Our defence was flimsy and a more quality opposition would have netted more opportunities and I have no doubt Argentina will capitalise tonight.

Short odds but I can't see these two going any other way.

[Baki]

13.08 Argentina - Serbia 1 (1.45)
Serbian coach have a lot of problems with scquad,clubs wan't there's players back,some clubs didn't let there players and Serbia plays awfull match against Ivory Coast (4 : 2).Argentina have some trouble against Australia (won 1 : 0),but against low moral Serbia's team,it will be much easier.Tradition is on Argentina's side,last 2 matches,2004.Olimpics in Athens and 2006.WC in Germany,boath ended 6 : 0 for Argentina,in Serbia we are praying that something simular ain't gonna happen' again .Of cource that I'll take it with handicap,in local I found for 2.10,what is look fantastic for me.

[AJ]

Argentina vs Brazil, both teams went to extra time in their qtrs, and I think the semi could be very close.

Argentina are favs at 2.58, Brazil are 3.15 and the Draw 3.3.

Meaty prices for a close game, I think the Argies will have slightly too much class here and I've taken them to win.

Expect the winner of this game to go on a take out gold whoever it is

From Fifa.com

Two of the most famous jerseys in football, one age-old rivalry and some of the finest footballers on the planet: the second semi-final at the Men's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008, between Brazil and Argentina, has all the makings of a classic. Crucially, the prize for the victors is a place in Saturday's final.
The game
Brazil-Argentina, 19 August, 21.00 (local time), Beijing
The context
This is the first time in over 100 years of competition that two South American sides have faced each other in an Olympic semi-final, although the continent's superpowers did meet at Seoul 1988, when the likes of Claudio Taffarel, Bebeto, Careca and Romario helped Brazil to a 1-0 win.
As for Beijing 2008, both sides have barely put a foot wrong in reaching the last four, having won all four of their respective matches. But with Brazil still to concede a goal in the tournament and Argentina having put together ten consecutive Olympic wins, something has to give on Tuesday.
The cast list for the Beijing blockbuster could hardly be more impressive. Skippering their sides will be Ronaldinho and Juan Roman Riquelme, the symbols of a golden generation of players and the protagonists of one of the most eagerly awaited personal duels of the tournament. The stellar quartet of Alexandre Pato, Sergio Aguero, Diego and Lionel Messi will ensure the pace does not slacken in an encounter that will either see the Albiceleste win the right to defend their title or the Seleção earn a tilt at seizing gold for the first time in their history.
The players to watch: Lionel Messi (ARG) and Diego (BRA)
There is little question that the outcome will hinge to a great extent on the inspiration of these two players, who have been vital to their sides so far in Beijing. The young Barcelona wizard has scored twice for Argentina already, and the Werder Bremen playmaker has been at the heart of the Brazilians' best moves. The question is, who will swing the balance in their side's favour?
The numbers game
2 - The number of times Brazil and Argentina have met in semi-final ties in the last ten years, both sides claiming a win apiece. The Brazilians came out on top in the FIFA U-20 World Cup United Arab Emirates 2003, while the Albiceleste were celebrating in the same competition two years later in the Netherlands.
The quotes
"It's always special to play against Brazil. They'll be out to win because they've never won a gold medal, but so will we because we want another one. It's true they've beaten us a few times recently, but that's history now and everyone in this squad has been on the winning side against Brazil at least once," Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano.

[Spooner]

Sport	Football (Internationals)
Event	Nigeria v Belgium (Olympic Games)
Selection	Nigeria
Strength	10/10
Date	19/08/2008
Bookmaker/Price	Betfair @ 2.30 (Back)
Reasoning	Nigeria have looked very impressive in this competition, Unbeaten so far and I think they will stay this away after todays game and progress to the final. Only conceded 2 goals in the whole competition and look really solid at the back, Whilst Belgium have been winning they haven't looked that great, A team that will progress to the final. For me that team will be Nigeria.

[Spooner]

Sport	Football (Internationals)
Event	Argentina v Brazil
Selection	Argentina
Strength	10/10
Date	19/08/2008
Bookmaker/Price	Bet365 @ 2.50 (Back)
Reasoning	Both Argentina & Brazil have 100% records in this tournament, I watched Argentina against Holland in the Quaters and they needed extra time to see them off but still looked a team capable of winning this tournament. Messi is a key player for them and if he is on hot form then they can progress to the final. The winner of this game should win the trophy, Just unfortunate they had to meet in the semi's.

[Spooner]

Originally Posted by Spooner

3-0 up with 15 mins to go.

Anyone just see that last goal? What a strike!!

[Charlie Wong]

4-1 FT

wd.

[Spooner]

Originally Posted by Spooner

3-0 up with 10 minutes left.

[blackcrow]

Argentina -1 (EH)
Argentina are the obvious favourites going into this gold medal match with Nigeria, especially after their 4-1 demolishen of Brazil in the semi's. The class of Messi and Mascherano has been nearly impossible for all teams to handle, and the Nigerians will also have their work cut out for them to do so. The way they are playing they should be able to win this by at least a two goal margin

[Stephanie Laura]

So can anyone tell me who won in this game? My country won only one gold medal for a nonsport event.