Olympic football

[Lilywhite Lad]

I haven't been really following this much, only watched two games that both involved Nigeria. Just wondered if anyone else has followed it more than me, and what they thought of the performances so far. I must say even though i've only watched two games, Nigeria have impressed me, particulrly earlier against Belgium. If they keep playing like that i certainly think they have a chance of winning gold. My favourite player from their squad has been Obasi, who has been their key man, and has put in some great performances throughout the tournament.

[Keanoldinho]

I haven't seen none of it but when is the Brazil vs Argentina semi-final match that'll be a cracker

[Keanoldinho]

just checked up the Brazil vs Argy game is on now


1-0 in the 55min to the Argies


The ball goes out for a goalkick and the yanks put commercials on then the game comes back on and it's 2-0 to the Argies ****n yanks are a joke

[Keanoldinho]

3-0 Argies in 75th minute

Messi, Aguero and Riquelme are ripping Brazil a new arse. I can't see Nigeria faring much better.

[Keanoldinho]

That had a colourful ending 2 red cards for Brazil first Lucas cuts down his scouse teammate Mascherano then Neves does the same.

3-0 the Argies it's about bloody time they beat Brazil

[Lilywhite Lad]

Yeah, it's good to see Argentina get one up on their rivals. They palyed some good football and if Nigeria keep playing well in the final, then that'll be a good match. I think Brazil will take 3rd place though.

[Shuggie13]

just checked up the Brazil vs Argy game is on now


1-0 in the 55min to the Argies


The ball goes out for a goalkick and the yanks put commercials on then the game comes back on and it's 2-0 to the Argies ****n yanks are a joke

Billy I wouldn't go calling folks yanks down in ATL! They may well drag you to the Cyclorama or Stone Mountain to give you a lesson or two.

[wayne wonder]

Kun Aguero is on a different level wish we had him :p

[Keanoldinho]

Billy I wouldn't go calling folks yanks down in ATL! They may well drag you to the Cyclorama or Stone Mountain to give you a lesson or two.



haha yeah right I got a surprise for anyone who tries that ;)

[Keanoldinho]

Kun Aguero is on a different level wish we had him :p


Aguero is class and the Argies got a very strong team with Messi, Riquelme and Mascherano all there. I can't see Nigeria doing much against them in the final but then again you never know it's only one game and it's the final so they'll be well up for it.

[spurs61]

Am I the only one who thinks that Olympic football is a complete travesty? The same goes for tennis and basketball. The players who compete at the Olympics are professionals who have their own seperate world tournament. The Olympic spirit is designed for amatuer and less mainstream sports. Is it really fair that Rafa Nadal is able to compete in the Olympics when there are thousands of decent amatuer players who are far more deserving of the chance to showcase thier talents. Does Messi or Ronaldinho really need more limelight and adulation? Do Le Bron James and Kobe Bryant?

[Lilywhite Lad]

Aguero is class and the Argies got a very strong team with Messi, Riquelme and Mascherano all there. I can't see Nigeria doing much against them in the final but then again you never know it's only one game and it's the final so they'll be well up for it.

Well if that Obasi is on form again, then he's certainly gonna cause some problems. It should be a good watch, and it could go any way from my point of view.

[choda]

Am I the only one who thinks that Olympic football is a complete travesty? The same goes for tennis and basketball. The players who compete at the Olympics are professionals who have their own seperate world tournament. The Olympic spirit is designed for amatuer and less mainstream sports. Is it really fair that Rafa Nadal is able to compete in the Olympics when there are thousands of decent amatuer players who are far more deserving of the chance to showcase thier talents. Does Messi or Ronaldinho really need more limelight and adulation? Do Le Bron James and Kobe Bryant?

It's a waste of time for me, the Olympics is for all those unheralded sports and athletics to have their time in the sun. Okay, I have little problem with the Tennis, they are individuals and it is pencilled into the tennis schedule. They are not neglecting other 'real' tennis events but the soccer could be left to kids only as far as I am concerned. It would still be a good event too.

[Lilywhite Lad]

Am I the only one who thinks that Olympic football is a complete travesty? The same goes for tennis and basketball. The players who compete at the Olympics are professionals who have their own seperate world tournament. The Olympic spirit is designed for amatuer and less mainstream sports. Is it really fair that Rafa Nadal is able to compete in the Olympics when there are thousands of decent amatuer players who are far more deserving of the chance to showcase thier talents. Does Messi or Ronaldinho really need more limelight and adulation? Do Le Bron James and Kobe Bryant?

I see what you are saying spurs61, but it's not all about professionals trying to get a bigger image. The Olympic football teams are consisted of players under the age of 23, with no more than 3 players over that age allowed. So players like Ronaldinho can be an exception. I don't see this as a showcase opportunity, but just a chance to bring some experience into the squad, to boost their chances of a medal. After all, countries like Argentina and Brazil don't get many opportunities of medals in the Olympics, and the football is usually their best chance, so they'll want to field the best team possible, and with players like Messi and Riquelme etc, to choose from, they'll want these stars in their squad, alongside the younger players to hopefully bring success in the form of a medal to their country.

As for amateurs, they are also given a chance too to showcase their talents to the world. 4 years ago in Athens, Carlos Tevez was just known as a fresh young talent for Argentina, and can be cosidered then as an amateur, but yet, 4 years later, here he is, playing for Man U, the Olympics creating a big name for him, as he flourished there, and that is how he caught the eye of bigger clubs. Professionals didn't fill up the team back then either, and they still don't now, otherwise you'd probably see a Argentina-Netherlands final instead. So it isn't as bad as what you're saying really, there are still many amateur players already proving what they've got, ahead of the professionals.

[spurs61]

I see what you are saying spurs61, but it's not all about professionals trying to get a bigger image. The Olympic football teams are consisted of players under the age of 23, with no more than 3 players over that age allowed. So players like Ronaldinho can be an exception. I don't see this as a showcase opportunity, but just a chance to bring some experience into the squad, to boost their chances of a medal. After all, countries like Argentina and Brazil don't get many opportunities of medals in the Olympics, and the football is usually their best chance, so they'll want to field the best team possible, and with players like Messi and Riquelme etc, to choose from, they'll want these stars in their squad, alongside the younger players to hopefully bring success in the form of a medal to their country.

As for amateurs, they are also given a chance too to showcase their talents to the world. 4 years ago in Athens, Carlos Tevez was just known as a fresh young talent for Argentina, and can be cosidered then as an amateur, but yet, 4 years later, here he is, playing for Man U, the Olympics creating a big name for him, as he flourished there, and that is how he caught the eye of bigger clubs. Professionals didn't fill up the team back then either, and they still don't now, otherwise you'd probably see a Argentina-Netherlands final instead. So it isn't as bad as what you're saying really, there are still many amateur players already proving what they've got, ahead of the professionals.

Sorry, I should have articulated my point better. My issue is not with participants trying to raise their profile, it is that professional footballers, tennis and basketball players should not be allowed to compete in the Olympics full stop. These guys are constantly in the limelight and compete on the world stage on a regular basis.

The modern Olympics were inaugurated to allow the best of the world’s amateur sportsmen and women the opportunity to showcase their sport and talent to the world. Granted, athletics has since become a professional sport, but it maintains almost the same profile it had twenty years ago, i.e. it is a minority sport which gains almost insignificant media coverage other than every four years.

Boxing is a good example, the participants at the Olympics have strived to reach the pinnacle of their amateur sport and the Olympics gives the best of them the opportunity to catch the eye and make the progression into the professional domain.

The argument that the majority of the footballers are under 23 holds no water as far as I am concerned. These are still all professional players who, by and large, play for the top clubs in the best leagues around the world. They have the opportunity to play in international tournaments at least every two years. Surely by removing professional players from the equation it will encourage countries like Argentina and Brazil to produce world class athletes in what can be considered “true” Olympic events? Oh, and Tevez was one of the hottest property in world football prior to the Athens Olympics, he was playing for Boca Juniors (just about the biggest club in South America) and had already won the Copa Libatadores in 2003.

[wayne wonder]

Aguero is class and the Argies got a very strong team with Messi, Riquelme and Mascherano all there. I can't see Nigeria doing much against them in the final but then again you never know it's only one game and it's the final so they'll be well up for it.

He really is a talent but then again there are 10 +other players in argentina probably on the same level waiting for their big move it makes u think how crap are england because argentina is just a conveyor belt.

Nigeria have some decent players but i think the argies just have that little bit more experience

[gomessi]

He really is a talent but then again there are 10 +other players in argentina probably on the same level waiting for their big move it makes u think how crap are england because argentina is just a conveyor belt.

Nigeria have some decent players but i think the argies just have that little bit more experience

:confused: if your talking about aguero your incorrect. He is not just a talent he is probably a top 10 striker in the world.

He already made a £15m move to athletic madrid and scored 17-19 league goals. aguero is already one of the best players in the world.

Athletico madrid woudn't sell him for £35m.

When torres was at the club he couldn't propel them to cl, aguero is better than torres (when comparing their form in la liga).

messi > aguero > tevez.

look at this. A pleasure watching him play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQOdPrZm0MY&feature=related

[Lilywhite Lad]

:confused: if your talking about aguero your incorrect. He is not just a talent he is probably a top 10 striker in the world.

He already made a £15m move to athletic madrid and scored 17-19 league goals. aguero is already one of the best players in the world.

Athletico madrid woudn't sell him for £35m.

When torres was at the club he couldn't propel them to cl, aguero is better than torres (when comparing their form in la liga).

messi > aguero > tevez.

look at this. A pleasure watching him play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQOdPrZm0MY&feature=related

I'm surprised he hasn't been linked with any Premiership clubs yet. He looks quality in that vid. I only seen him play in the Olympics, so haven't seen what he can achieve at club level. I am impressed. ;)

[gomessi]

I'm surprised he hasn't been linked with any Premiership clubs yet. He looks quality in that vid. I only seen him play in the Olympics, so haven't seen what he can achieve at club level. I am impressed. ;)

The only team in the prem that could afford his transfer fee is man u and chelsea.

Who could pay £30m +.

[Keanoldinho]

I'm surprised he hasn't been linked with any Premiership clubs yet. He looks quality in that vid. I only seen him play in the Olympics, so haven't seen what he can achieve at club level. I am impressed. ;)



I read something afew weeks ago saying manure were after him but he was happy in Madrid right now

[wayne wonder]

I read something afew weeks ago saying manure were after him but he was happy in Madrid right now

The scousers were linked with him big style last season but the sunny madrid is better that council estate ridden scouse land!!

Dont rule out a move to barca in a few seasons as i cant see athletico selling to real

[Lilywhite Lad]

I see Argentina won the Gold today for the second time running. A close 1-0 victory though, with Messi the best for the Argies, constantly teasing the Nigerian backline. Nigeria did well though, just didn't get any successful chances.

[deadleyledley]

the nigerians have been good all round, but the argies are just too good for everyone.
the brazilians were not that good and they should have done a lot better.
the brazilians are sore losers too

[Keanoldinho]

the nigerians have been good all round, but the argies are just too good for everyone.
the brazilians were not that good and they should have done a lot better.
the brazilians are sore losers too



so are the argies

anytime them 2 countries meet there's always crazy tackles and red cards they really hate each other and losing