With the final round of group fixtures complete, the men's Olympic football tournament enters the decisive knockout rounds. Favorites Spain was treated to a shock early exit, whilst hosts Team GB secured qualification for the quarter-finals by topping Group A. The last time Great Britain entered a football team into the Olympics was 38 years ago, and that was just in the qualifying section. Politics within the home nations Football Associations have stopped any representation since then, but with London 2012 it was decided that this year, as host nation, Great Britain would participate as one team against a backdrop of fierce opposition from Celtic countries fearful of losing their football independence.
Head coach, Stuart Pearce, only picked his squad players from England and Wales, stating that he had chosen 'the best players available'. His team will face South Korea on Saturday in the last eight, ahead of a possible semi-final against pre-tournament favorites Brazil on Tuesday. "We played some outstanding football. We have only ever prepared to win the tournament." said Stuart Pearce, coach of the first British men's team to compete at an Olympics for more than 50 years. It will be interesting to see if the country gets behind a Great Britain team in their quest for gold medal success! Get great offers and free bets at FREEbets.org.uk.
Five-time world champions Brazil have yet to win an Olympic gold and coach Mano Menezes added "Gold is still a long way away. We will only think about gold if we get to the final." Now Brazil will play Honduras after the Central Americans held Japan to a goalless draw in Coventry to reach the last eight of an Olympic tournament for the first time. Honduras's Jose Mendoza said: "Everyone was talking about Spain and we have beaten them with all respect. Now we have Brazil and we going to try our best. We all know that will be difficult but we have done Spain. Let's see."
Egypt also reached the last eight with a win over Belarus and will face Japan in the first of four quarter-finals all being played on Saturday. Mexico topped Group B with a narrow win over Switzerland and will play Senegal in the knockout, while South Korea advanced into the quarter-finals despite a goalless draw against Gabon.
Who do you think is going to win the gold? And how about silver and bronze?
