2008 Men's Olympic Quarter-Final Highlights, and Semi-Final Line-up

Nigeria 2-0 Cote d'Ivoire

There was always going to be an African team in the semis, and it's going to be Nigeria. Peter Odemwingie opened the scoring just before halftime (above) and Victor Obinna scored a second half pen to make it official.

Argentina 2-1 Netherlands (after extra time)

Leo Messi made it 1-0 when he rounded Piet Velthuizen and banged it home. ... [read]

The Olympics: Board Game Style

Everybody wants to see Argentina up against Brazil on a pitch, but two reps from their respective countries (one participating in the actual Olympics) decided to preview it via games. Like Connect Four, Snap and Jenga. You know, real brain busters.

Pay close attention to the 0:31 mark when Anderson is forced to use the most brain power ever for anyone ... [read]

Photo: Perfect Form

Might have been tripped, might not have. Either way, Diego shows us how to properly go to ground: perfect arch, pained facial expression, arms flailing, wavy hair. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) ... [read]

2008 Men's Olympic Football Quarter-Final Line Up

And just like that, the group stage of the 2008 Men's Olympic Football tournament is over.

The quarter-finals look like this:

Nigeria vs Cote d'Ivoire
Italy vs Belgium
(winners play each other)

Argentina vs Netherlands
Brazil vs Cameroon
(winners play each other)

All matches on August 16th.

Highlights from the final round of group games below (USA fans look away now.)

Argentina ... [read]

Photo: Perfect Playing Conditions

Nothing beats a Slip 'N Slide pitch like the one Norway and Japan were fortunate enough to play on today during today's final round of the women's Olympic football tournament group stage. Japan won the game 5-1, but both teams made the quarter finals.

(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) ... [read]

Great Improvised Bike from Cristiane

Brazil's women's team isn't all about Marta you know. Brilliant as the number 10 is, there are other Brazilian ladies with ball skills and single names. Like Cristiane for example, who scored a hat trick in Brazil's 3-1 win over Nigeria in the final group game at the Olympics today.

Get a look at her second, above, where she flicks the ... [read]

Ronaldinho is Back! Men's Olympic Football Matchday Two Round-Up

Olympic football videos are getting harder to come by, but that doesn't mean I'm about to give up. Not when it's just starting to get interesting.

'Dinho himself is showing some form (as is Pato, Anderson and the rest of the Brazil team), Argentina are getting it done, and Italy are absolutely on ... [read]

2008 Men's Olympic Soccer Tournament Matchday One Roundup

The odd thing about the Olympic football tournament is that all the games seem to happen at once, rather than being spread out evenly as in other tournaments.

There are reasons for this, obviously, and for once they're nothing to do with Sepp Blatter or the Court of Arbitration for Sport. I assume ... [read]

Messi Scores One and Makes One in Opening Olympic Game

Doesn't matter what Barcelona wants or what the Court of Arbitration for Sport says. Leo Messi played for Argentina against Cote d'Ivoire in the 2008 Olympics this morning and scored the opening goal (above).

Cote d'Ivoire equalized through Cisse, but in the 86th minute Messi (again) burst down the left and squared for Lautaro Acosta to score the winner.

Who knows if ... [read]

Curtains For Ruud In Oranje

Call me cynical, but international footballers seem to have taken over for boxers and Green Bay Packers quarterbacks when it comes to calling time on their careers. The sound bites come off as genuine as a pitch on that gorgeous red coupe at the corner of the lot from Honest Hank, the ... [read]