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Beijing Olympic Games Soccer

Olympic Soccer Tournament Favourites Argentina and Brazil

Jul 26, 2008

South American teams Argentina and Brazil are the favourites coming into the Beijing Olympic Games Soccer Tournament

World powers Argentina and Brazil are without doubt the favourites to win the Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympic Games Soccer Tournament that kicks off in early August.

Argentina Favourites In Olympic Games Soccer

The Argentines lifted the Gold Medal in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, after a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the final, with an outstanding tournament from Carlos Tevez.

This year Argentina also come into the tournament as one of the favourites, and with the likes of Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme, Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero in their squad much is expected of them.

The stand-out on the Argentina roster is Barcelona's 21-year-old prodigy Lionel Messi. It is unknown whether he will actually take part in the competition, because his club have refused to release him as they hope to count with his services for a vital UEFA Champions League qualifier, however, it seems that Argentina are finally going to have their man.

If Messi participates in the competition his amazing skills are likely to lead the Argentines to their second successive Gold Medal.

Argentina are the firm favourites to win a Group A also consisting of Australia, Ivory Coast and Serbia.

Ronaldinho and Robinho Lead Brazil In Olympics

Brazil have never won the Gold Medal before, and the best they have done until now has been two Silver Medals (1984 and 1988) and one Bronze Medal (1996). But this time around it seems that Brazil have the necessary depth to win the tournament.

Ronaldinho will be part of Carlos Dunga's Brazil side, and the gifted AC Milan attacking midfielder and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year is hoping to impress after having experienced a disappointing past year. With Kaka's absence Ronaldinho will be Brazil's main inspiration.

Real Madrid's Robinho is another huge talent in the Brazil side, but an injury could keep him out of the tournament. Robinho scored eleven goals for Real Madrid in Spain's La Liga last season, and if he is healthy he is likely to play a key role as Brazil look to lift their first Olympic trophy.

Other important players in the Brazil squad include, Alexandre Pato of AC Milan, Anderson of Manchester United, Diego of Werder Bremen, and Thiago Neves of Fluminense.

Brazil should cruise into the knock-out stage of the competition, because they face rather accessible opponents in China, New Zealand and Belgium in Group C.

Europe's Best Olympic Soccer Teams

With Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia and Belgium, European teams have a lot to prove in the Olympics. On paper Italy and the Netherlands are the two best teams of the four, and both come into their respective groups as the favourites.

The Netherlands will take part in Group B, along with Nigeria, Japan and the United States, while Italy will face Korea Republic, Cameroon and Honduras in Group D.

Olympic Soccer Surprise Teams

Other difficult teams in the competition include Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Australia, and you shouldn't count out host nation China. Much is expected of the Chinese in the competition, and they should win the points in their group opener against New Zealand, before harder matches with Brazil and Belgium.

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