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Week Around the Ists
Interview: Coco Zhao, from jazz to M. Butterfly
The random group selections for the Men and Womenâs Olympic Football (AKA soccer) competition were made last night in a blaze of Beijing razzmatazz.
For those of you who haven't been paying attention, most of the original entrants to the football have long since been eliminated through a series of qualifying matches and only 16 teams remain.
Of the few, the proud that will be playing in (amongst other host cities) Shanghai, both Chinese teams have landed reasonable groups although we don't fancy the host nation's chance against the boys from Brazil.
For full results of the draw (and, let's be honest news of whether your country is actually competing or not) read on.
Men
Group A
Cote D'Ivoire (A1)
Argentina (A2)
Australia (A3)
Serbia (A4)
Group B
Netherlands (B1)
Nigeria (B2)
Japan (B3)
USA (B4)
Group C
China (C1)
New Zealand (C2)
Brazil (C3)
Belgium (C4)
Group D
Republic of Korea (D1)
Cameroon (D2)
Honduras (D3)
Italy (D4)
Women
Group E
China (E1)
Sweden (E2)
Argentina (E3)
Canada(E4)
Group F
DPRK (F1)
Nigeria (F2)
Germany (F3)
Brazil (F4)
Group G
Norway (G1)
USA (G2)
Japan (G3)
New Zealand (G4)
More information here.
(Note for British readers: we don't bother competing for this one as the Gold would be pretty much in the bag from day one)
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Footy should be out of the Olympics.
The footy world cup is far superior anyway. The Olympics is full of uninteresting events with little real competition ...it's a largely boring hype machine.
The world cup, however ... on a diferent level. Footy should disassociate itself from the Olympics for sure.
Also, if the Olympics are going to go on, better make it track and field only and part-time amateur. Really, all the politics going on right now just masks the real issue - the olympics suck. And the opening ceremonies are always embarrasing - like a big budget version of the shitty 'gala' variety shows on tv.
Hate on the olympics. They are, always have been and always will be ...a bunch of arse.
what do u mean footy should be out of the Olympics? I didn't realise Aussie Rules was already included. :)
As for the Brits, i understand your feudal tendency to lie fallow in wait for the 2012 onslaught. Enjoy the couch view.
Andy Best has it all wrong. Its time to wake up and just admit that everyone is on drugs. I would actually like to see a only athletes who are perfromance enhanced. I mean how awesome would it be if man could break the 8 second 100m? Who cares if its enhanced....?
why not give the china for all groups?!?! see you this now! western media hate china and people hate us china people the also! i can taste shit you feed in my back throat! let the atheletes play!!!!!
Wow J.C. you really hit a nerve with these 3 commenters. Keep on putting up these controversial posts. Personally I'mm looking forward to seeing a game in Shanghai, if I can get my visa renewed....
...Evo ...
That is a great idea. Sports insiders know that all top pros are on drugs ... it just depends which ones of the many are currently legal or not.
My idea was to simplify or abolish it ..but the idea to make it a shame free super-man/woman fest is another great avenue to explore.
Also is Ausslie rules not in the Olympics ... but beach volleyball is ... you need to get outside the IOC with a banner for sure.
A story about the olympics actually related to the olympics and not riots and politics, I almost forgot the olympics had sports.
but in all honesty, that line up is a joke by world standards, I say we riot.
comradekamal- I'm calling you out dude!! These teams are very representative of the power of world football!!! Who do you object to? Cameroon, Norway, Netherlands, Honduras, New Zealand... um, DPRK? Uh, never mind...
Yeah, who let the Netherlands into the tournament? Must be a computer error..
The women's team from North Korea is excellent, one of the best in the world. FYI.