The best female player in the world was chosen by LA in the WPS International Draft today.

Image via CE

Jesus Antonio Martin (9) of Spain shoots from a free-kick against Brazil. Spain lost 1-0 in a sport in which each team fields four blind players and one sighted or visually impaired goalkeeper.

Image via SI

It will be Messi Vs Ronaldinho as Argentina tango’s with Brazil in the Semi-Final’s of the Men’s Olympic Soccer in Beijing at 9am Eastern Time.

With both players scoring twice in the earlier rounds of the competition, Brazil leads the tournament with a team high 11 goals scored while not conceding any, while Argentina has conceded just two.

Surprising side Belgium will take on the Super Eagles from Nigeria in the other Semi-Final from Shanghai after Belgium snuck by the Italians 3-2 (and playing a man down for most of the match) and Nigeria downed Ivory Coast 2-nil.

1996 was Nigeria, 2000 was Cameroon, 2004 was Argentina and 2008 will be….

image via GamesNet

These two Brazilian synchronized swimmers and part-time models are bringing the sizzle to Beijing.

Check their video after the Jump… 

(more…)

3-nil Brazil with goals by Diego, Ronaldinho and Jo.

Since Ronaldinho’s big money move to AC Milan and their acceptance of his Olympic stance, Dunga must have been a happy man if only for a minute.

Not today though as Real Madrid pulled the ol’ “Groin Strain” injury, denying his release the day midfielder/withdrawn forward Robinho was set to leave for Singapore for Brazil’s Olympic Team warm up.  Add in the fact that Dunga was already told the Olympic Age appropriate (Under 23) duo of  Werder Bremen #10 Diego and Shalke 04 defender Rafinha would not be allowed to join, things were starting to get murky for Brazil and the CBF.

Rafinha showed his unhappiness with his Bundesliga club by ditching practice and heading to Paris to join up with Dunga’s squad, something Shalke Sporting Director Andreas Muller was non too pleased about.

“He has breached his contract at Schalke,” Mueller said, adding the club had sent letters to the Brazilian football association (CBF) and the International Olympic Committee demanding that Rafinha not be allowed to compete.

(more…)

DOUBLE UPDATE - Ronaldinho’s been given the all-clear by Milan to join up with Dunga’s Beijing bound Olympic Team.

“We’ll respect the agreement that was made before his transfer to Milan,” Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said Wednesday.

UPDATE - Barcelona director of football, Txiki Begiristain has dropped an interesting tidbit regarding Ronaldinho’s transfer to AC Milan for 19.8 Million Pound.

Via Goal

The player will always decide where he wants to play. As a club, we can have 40 different offers but in the end, what counts is the player’s own desire,” he said.

The technical director also revealed one of the main deal-breakers that clinched the move: “This agreement was reached because Ronnie forfeited his right to 15% of the transfer fee.

(more…)

DOUBLE UPDATE - Barcelona has reportedly denied Ronaldinho his chance to represent Brazil at the 20008 Beijing Olympics.

I’m just starting to wonder if Dunga had spoken to any of the clubs about pre-season, qualifiers or possible transfers that he’s pulling players from.

UPDATE - Werder Bremen and Schalke 04 have denied both Diego and Rafinha their Olympic Team release, much to the dismay of Brazil Head Coach Dunga.

While the Bundesliga sides do not have to allow the release of their players (much like Bayern Munich’s refusal to release Martin Demichelis, Lucio and Mark van Bommel to represent their countries in Beijing), many thought that both players would be allowed to go.

“It’s clear that if we don’t release Diego, we won’t face any sanctions” Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs said.

No word who will be Dunga’s replacements, but this is pretty weak in my opinion. I know that players are always at risk for injury when they’re away with their National Teams and the clubs pay their salaries, but to take away the opportunity to play for their countries at the Olympics is an incredible opportunity, much the same way it was for each player that played in the 2008 European Championships.

The only difference is that the Euro’s were FIFA sanctioned and the Olympics (I know, I know, it’s only a glorified Under 23 tournament) isn’t. I wonder though if Germany could qualify for the Olympics if their perspective would change quickly?

(more…)

Even though there were no goals, Brazil v Argentina is never disappointing.

Up next, September 6th with Chile vs Brazil and Argentinz vs Paraguay.

AC Milan has made it official with the announcement that Brazil’s Kaka will not be permitted to represent Brazil as an over-age (above 23 years old) player at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Alexandre Pato and Kaka’s little brother, Digao will be allowed to leave AC Milan’s pre-season plans and miss the first couple matches of the Serie A season.

image via FootballPictures