By Anna Italia
Covering the 2008 Summer Olympics Game in Beijing  from an Italian Perspective


Italian Serie A Players for Brazil:
AC Milan Forwards Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho

Italian Serie A Players for Belgium:
Genoa midfielder Anthony Vanden Borre

                                   Belgium 0 - 3 Brazil    
                                                                                        28' Diego
                                                                                        45' Jo
                                                                                        90' Jo

A ray of happiness for  Brazil winning the Bronze Medal after losing against Argentina to qualify for the Gold Medal.  Brazil has won 2 Bronze Medals with this one in four Olympics. Though, Brazil would rather have the Gold Medal at least once.

I was a bit sad with the decision of Brazil Olympics Coach Carlos Dunga for not using AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato at all in this match.  Though, it was good to see the other AC Milan forward Ronaldinho as Captain and playing the complete match even scoring a beautiful "chilena," but disallowed for offside. 


Although the match was practically dominated by Brazil, I must tell you that in the 2nd minute it was a bit scary when Maarten Martens had a powerful shot forcing Brazil goalkeeper Renan to do wonders an save an early goal.  Wow.. saved by the bell!

                          
Brazil's Ronaldinho (R) vies for a ball against Jan Vertonghen (L) of Belgium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games men's football bronze medal match Belgium vs Brazil at the Shanghai Stadium on August 22, 2008. Brazil defeated Belgium 3-0. AFP PHOTO/LIU Jin


Just when I was about to fill up my cup of coffee, bam!  In the 28th minute, Diego comes and  I had to stand up  to do a cheer leading dance for Diego's goal.  Diego got a cross from Brazil defender Rafinha and shoots directly inside the far post, blasting Belgium goalkeeper Logan Bailly.  Wow... it is  a great goal because Diego passed Belgium defender Tom de Mul like saying "excuse me, you are on my way, move over." 
Belgium 0 - 1 Brazil

Diego was giving Brazil a partial victory. You bet his goal was appreciated by the millions of Brazilian fans. Hey, come on, I appreciated and danced to it!  Go Diego, Go Diego, Go Diego!


                    

                Diego of Brazil celebrates after scoring a goal against Belgium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games men's football bronze medal match at the Shanghai Stadium on August 22, 2008. AFP PHOTO/HOANG DINH NAM


Second goal in the agonizing moments of the first half in the 45th minute with Jo in a BAM-BAM after Ramires shots first only to be blocked by Belgium goalkeeper Bailly when the ball got on the way of Jo who just headed the ball to the final BAM!  Belgium 0 - 2 Brazil.  By now my friends... the Bronze Medal was already carrying the sound of Samba...


                      

Hey, jump!  HOW HIGH!!!!  I love this photo of Ronaldinho celebrating Jo's goal. You can sense Ronaldinho's joy and his happy trademark smile.  Wow... what else to do?  Hello, hello... after seeing the joy of Dinho and the Brazilians, you bet I did the "cheer leading dance!"   Go Jo, Go Jo, Go Jo!!!!!!


                       

  Jo of Brazil (2nd R), Ronaldinho (C) and their team-mates of Brazil celebrate after Jo scored the second goal for Brazil against Belgium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games men's football bronze medal match in Shanghai on August 22, 2008. AFP PHOTO/HOANG DINH Nam

Imagine that Pato was missed so much that even Telemundo's commentator Andres Cantor said it in the second half. Wow, that just made my day because Brazil already had the victory with 2 goals and with minutes extras why not bringing Pato?

Also congrats to our Genoa midfielder playing for Belgium Anthony Vande Borren for having made it all the way to the fourth position. Congrats Anthony.

Well, what else to say about this match?  While many teams would have been happier winning a medal, it is not the same for the Brazilians who still dream to win "the Olympic Gold Medal.".... Well... time enough to dream until the next Olympics and see whether they win it or not...

Until then....

Let's continue dancing the Samba... of course... IN MILANELLO with the 2 Milanisti Pato and Ronaldinho!




LINEUPS

Match 31 Shangai - Bronze Medal Men Olympic Football Tournament
Belgium 0 - 3 Brazil
Shangai Stadium
Friday, August 22, 2008
Attendance: 52,705


Scorers: DIEGO (BRA) 27', JO (BRA) 45', JO (BRA) 92'

BELGIUM

Goalkeepers: Logan Bailly,
Defenders: Sepp de Roover, Thomas Vermaelen, Sebastian Pocognoli, Jeroen Simayes;
Midfielders: Faris Haroun, Jan Vertonghen, Marteen Martens (Landry Mulemo), Tom de Mul;
Forwards: Kevin Mirallas (Anthony Vanden Borre) e Moussa Dembele.

BRAZIL

Goalkeeper: Renan,
Defenders: Rafinha, Alex Silva, Breno (Thiago Silva), Marcelo;
Midfielders: Hernanes, Ramires, Anderson, Diego;
Forwards: Ronaldinho Gaúcho e Jô.


CAUTIONED

RONALDINHO (BRA) 26', JO (BRA) 72', MARCELO (BRA) 86',  THIAGO SILVA (BRA) 90'

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Brazil Matches
2008 Men Olympic Football  Tournament  

Group C - Brazil Fixtures and Results

Goals in favor: 10
Goals against: 0 (not conceding any goal)
Finished Leader in Group C with 9 points

August 7, 2008
Brazil 1 - 0 Belgium

August 10, 2008
New Zealand 0  - 5  Brazil

August 13, 2008
China PR 0 - 3 Brazil

GROUP  - QUARTERFINALS
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Brazil 2 - 0 Cameroon

SEMIFINAL
Argentina 3 - 0 Brazil


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What are your thoughts on the Brazilian National Olympic Team?


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