Call it the 'Poor Man's World Cup' if you like, but the Olympic Men's Soccer Tournament is a competition that is worthy of its place in the football calendar. This being an Olympic year, we've not got long to go before the next one rolls around and the good news is we now know who's going to be taking part in Beijing this August.
Sixteen teams will be involved, all of whom will be split into four groups of four with the top two from each group qualifying for the quarter finals and the ensuing knockout stages leading to the Final.
China, the hosts, have qualified automatically and probably just as well as they haven't reached the finals of the Olympic soccer tournament since 1988. They go into the First Round draw on April 20th along with the qualifiers from all six FIFA continents including Brazil and Argentina from South America.
Brazil missed out on the last event in Greece but return this time as one of the favourites along with reigning champions and near neighbours Argentina. The Argentineans were a revelation in Athens, playing a free-flowing, attack-minded style of play that saw them score seventeen goals and concede none.
Arguably the most eye-catching player in their team was the top scorer in 2004, Carlos Tevez who, we understand, has gone on to do quite well since. With players like Riquelme and Messi likely to have a similar effect on their 2008 campaign, don't be surprised if the gold medals go to the Albicelestes again.
Africa will be sending an impressive triumvirate of talent to the Games this summer. Returning to the big stage are 1996 Olympic champions Nigeria, 2000 champions Cameroon and newcomers to the tournament, Ivory Coast. All three were among the big names at the recent 2008 African Cup of Nations and all three are capable of causing an upset when this year's competition gets underway.
The Olympic Soccer Tournament is renowned for giving the world its first sight of many stars of the future and Nigeria's victorious team in Atlanta twelve years ago is a good example of this. Among the players who went onto become household names were Taribo West, Celestine Babayaro, Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba. If their current squad can boast potential like that, they could be bound for greatness in Beijing.
There's one or two new names to conjure with alongside the tried and trusted. Accompanying the ever-present USA from the CONCACAF section are Honduras who surprisingly got their place at the expense of the usually-ever-present Mexicans. Mexico showed their gratitude to team coach Hugo Sanchez for his inability to gain qualification for his team by giving him the sack. Perhaps they Mexican Waved him goodbye as they did so - who knows…
Another new name at Beijing 2008 is New Zealand who finally have the chance to compete thanks to Australia's migration to the Asian confederation. It'll be only the All White's second ever Olympic outing since 1952 when they made the huge journey to Melbourne to take part. Obviously not a team that likes to travel long distances very much…
Speaking of Australia, they've been more or less a permanent fixture in Olympic Soccer since 1988 and they'll be competing again in August when they'll be hoping to match their 1992 semi-final finish that ended at the hands of Poland. Representing Asia alongside Australia and China are Japan and South Korea, one of whom should get as far as the quarter finals if recent form is anything to go by.
Finally to Europe where four teams will be making the long journey to Beijing, but here again there are some surprises. If you're looking for the likes of Spain, France, Germany or Portugal, forget it. All of them fell by the wayside during the UEFA Under-21 Championships last June that acted as the qualification round leaving Italy (2004 Olympic semi-finalists), the Netherlands (appearing for the first time since 1952), Belgium (appearing for the first time since 1928) and Serbia, appearing for the first time in their own right.
With a considerable sense of irony, England reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Under-21 competition but as a distinct entity separate from Great Britain (hosts of the 2012 Olympics) they won't, of course, be appearing in this year's games. This caused a play-off to be held between the two third-placed teams, Portugal and Italy, and the latter won after a penalty shoot-out.
Quite a tenuous way of qualifying for the Italians who were only beaten by eventual champions Argentina in 2004 and picked up a bronze medal for their efforts. That must have stuck in the throat of Cristiano Ronaldo who made an appearance for the Portuguese four years ago and may well have done so in 2008 had his side been better at taking penalties against the Italians.
So there they are, the sixteen teams going for gold in Beijing this year. Some are going for Nigeria to win, many think it'll be Argentina, but all things considered you can expect a football tournament full of interest and excitement when the games begin this August.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
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10 comments:
The US team should be an interesting one. Brian McBride has expressed interest in donning the stars and stripes one last time. What a strike pairing he and Jozy Altidore would make.
I know the Olympics are often overlooked. Admittedly, I will paying much closer attention to the Euros. But with all the amazing U-23 talent in world right now, this tournament could prove quite entertaining.
I'll certainly be keeping an eye on the US team this August, and as you say, Brian McBride would make a big difference to the team.
Yes, the research for this article proved most eye-opening. I've always thought the Olympic soccer tournament was a rather weak affair, but the last one in Greece was great (from what I saw of it) and so many great players have featured down the years. I'm now seeing it in a different light... :)
The Brazil team have never won it so I'm going to go for them. The Brazilians have so much great young talent but never quite put in onto the field. I know Dunga is very interested in winning this tournament.
Alexandre Pato and Robinho could be there along with a few well known others. What do you think Chris O? Do you have to be under a certain age to compete though?
It is a U-23 tournament, though each team gets three exemptions for older players.
Chris O. is right that a lot of players have made their debut on the world stage in this competition. This year, though, there are so many U-23 players that are already stars in Europe and South America, that it's less about scouting and more like a World Cup Jr.
We already know Pato, Lucas, Messi, Altidore, Adu, Obi Mikel, Babel, et al. There should be some breakouts from Africa though. You can almost hear Europe's elite getting their checkbooks ready.
I'll be watching to see if Guiseppi Rossi continues to spurn the US to play for Italy.
I always thought the Olympics was supposed to be an amateur tournament. Is this accurate, and there's just an exemption for football, or am I making something up entirely?
I think the spirit of the olympics is supposed to amatuers atheletes competing, but it's no longer restricted. The US tried to comply with this longer than most countries. The USSR used professional atheletes on their hockey and basketball teams back in the 70's (Think Miracle on Ice). The US first did this in 1992when they put together the first "Dream Team."
Boy, talk about being behind the times.....
Also, you kids get off my lawn!
You could be right, P. Brazil stand a great chance of winning and if Robinho's included, they may well do it. At the moment, I can't get Argentina out of my head, purely based on their domination of the Athens 2004 event. Aside from them, though, I (sadly) see little threat from Europe so I'm inclined to go with Cameroon as a decent threat as well as Brazil.
Chris B is quite right to suggest it's an under-23 tournament where 3 over-age players are allowed per team. As for the notion of it being an amateur competition, Adam, sadly that's dying a death in many sports these days.
(By the way - what's the 'get off my lawn' reference, Adam?!?!?)
Elderly Americans are very protective of their yards. It's a known fact that a child's footstep can kill any and all vegetation. Thus the often heard warning of "Get off my lawn!"
Also popular is, "Now I keep it!" This is used for whenever a football, baseball, frisbee, etc., lands in said lawn. This is followed by, "If you want it back, have your Father come talk to me!"
Won't watch any of the Olympics....the western world should have boycotted these games.
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