Olympics Men's Soccer

If you didn't think that football at the Olympics was a big deal then you only need to have followed the tug of war between Argentina and Barcelona over Lionel Messi to know that in South America, at least, the Olympics is a title worth winning even if it isn't the World Cup. And if you don't follow youth international football as closely as I do, then it may have escaped your attention that Argentina – who enter the games as favourites to defend the gold won in Athens four years ago – came within a few seconds of not qualifying for the tournament and the chance to defend the title won so impressively at the last Olympics.

A Lautaro Acosta header, which turned out to be the last action in the game, ensured a 1-0 victory over Uruguay and a passage back to the Olympics. That goal back in January of 2007 seems like a distant memory now, but all of this came so close to never happening. And that happening, is a star studded squad that Argentina as well as Brazil has brought to the Olympics. When Carlos Tevez led Argentina to victory backed by a defence that didn't allow a goal in the entire tournament, many thought that squad was as strong as the Olympics would ever see; as it was essentially the same side Argentina had put out in the 2004 Copa America weeks earlier. However, the class of 2008 looks even stronger and at 3.10 (Betfair / 5 Dimes) you can be sure I'll be taking advantage.

Let's take a look at the groups and dissect a little further the main contenders for the gold medal.

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D
Côte d'Ivoire	Netherlands	China	Korea
Argentina	Nigeria	New Zealand	Cameroon
Australia	Japan	Brazil	Honduras
Serbia	USA	Belgium	Italy

Group A

Argentina are the stand out side on paper and that should come to fruition in reality. The Messigate saga threatened to be a huge drain on the squad, but now that Messi is with the rest of the squad the psychological boost cannot be underestimated. So what makes this Argentina side so strong? Defensively Argentina looks short on numbers although the players that are available are of a high quality. Argentina won the battle for Messi, but didn't win respective battles to ensure the services of Martin Demichellis, Gabriel Heinze or Nicolas Burdisso. That aside Argentina will boast Ezequiel Garay and Federico Fazio which provides the team with height and strength and in the case of Garay, a lot of class on the ball and the ability to build the play from the back. Both players play their football in Spain at Racing Santander and Sevilla respectively. Garay will still be a Santander player for the coming season but only by virtue of a loan having been transferred to Real Madrid.

It's the midfield and forward line that really set Argentina apart. The middle of the field is so strong that Ever Banega will have to settle for a place on the bench while the engine of the side is run by Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago. Argentina look set to play with two out and out playmakers, Juan Roman Riquelme and Lionel Messi. A frightening prospect for the world's best defences never mind a series of Under 23 sides that won't have faced talent such as this simultaneously. And if that wasn't enough the Argentines will field Ezequiel Lavezzi upfront, who had a strong season with Napoli last season, and the ever so talented Sergio Aguero. The case for Argentina is strong and there are no glaring weaknesses with the side. If you follow Argentina for the tournament, your bank balance should be healthy once the medals are handed out on August 23rd.

It's not going to be a walk in the park for the Argentines, however talented a squad they may have and the opposition in group A includes the Ivory Coast, Serbia and Australia. The Ivorians can count on Chelsea's Salomon Kalou. Serbia will hope to avoid the 6-0 thrashing they received from Argentina in 2004, and back then they were Serbia & Montenegro, now they're just Serbia ! The Serbians and Ivorians should battle it out for second place as Australia doesn't appear to have the talent necessary to get in on the mix.

Argentina are 1.30 (Unibet) to win the group and they will.

Group B

Group B looks set to be the most competitive of the four and the hardest to call. Holland has a squad which consists of Liverpool 's Ryan Babel and Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe as well as the added experience of Roy Makaay. The Dutch will have to contend with Nigeria, USA and Japan. Even though you would expect Holland to have enough to edge the group there really are no guarantees in group B and you'd be foolish to think that this series of matches will be anything other than tight.

African sides at youth level have become very strong over the past few years and Nigeria will expect to qualify for the last eight and will be aided by Everton's Victor Anichebe and the explosive left foot of Marseille full back Taye Taiwo. Nigeria are taking only one over age player of the three over age exceptions allowed and that lack of seasoned experience may hold them back somewhat.

The Americans will boast Jozy Altidore who recently became a Villareal player. At just 18 years of age Altidore possesses great physical skills and will be a handful for defences to contain. And his partnership upfront with wily vet Brian McBride is likely to leave a lot of centre backs battered and bruised rather than the other way around. The vastly overrated Freddy Adu will also be part of the USA's makeup, as will hard working midfielder Michael Bradley who has been capped at full level. If you're looking for a side to upset Holland or Nigeria and grab one of the qualifying slots for the last eight, then America is your best bet in this group.

Japan are not to be written off but don't have the additional class that the other three nations can count on to make it count in those decisive moments of a game that will determine the outcome. Japan's squad contains only two players who play outside of their home country and their strength is the cohesive unit that they employ at the back. Don't expect any high scoring games when Japan are playing unless their normally solid defence lets them down. That lack of firepower will hurt them but they are capable of taking a point or two off their respective opposition.

Group C

Brazil could not have wished for an easier group and should have no problems racking up the goals during the group stage. Brazil have never won the Olympics before in the men's football event and were stung by Argentina's success in 2004, even more so as it was Argentina who had knocked Brazil out of qualifying for the 2004 Olympics during the under 20 South American qualifying stage.

Like Argentina, Brazil have brought as strong a squad as they possibly could and as with their storied rivals have had to battle European clubs to ensure their stars are present. Kaka was long expected to be a part of the Brazil challenge but injury eventually prevented his call up, although you can be sure AC Milan would have kicked up a fuss over his inclusion seeing as they have also released Alexandre Pato and the newly signed Ronaldinho. So how does Brazil match up in comparison to the squad that Argentina has brought? In many respects the respective squads are similar in that they are top heavy with midfielders and forwards but it's the lack of continuity within the Brazilian set up that puts Argentina in a healthier position.

Premiership observers will know of the talents that Anderson and Lucas possess and they will be ticking things over in the middle of the park. Diego defied the wishes of his club Werder Bremen and made his way to Beijing irrespective of FIFA eventually putting their foot down and demanding that all players under 23 be released by their clubs. He won't be the only playmaker available to Brazil as Ronaldinho will be expected to lead the side and the Brazilians can even count on Thiago Neves also, although it is doubtful he will get the chance for much playing time.

Pato will expect to fill his boots in the early stages and he is joined upfront by new Manchester City signing Jo and Real Betis forward Rafael Sobis. Brazil are set for a semi-final clash with Argentina should both nations win their groups as expected and negotiate their quarter-final ties. At 1.22 (Unibet) Brazil are justifiably short to end Group C as winners and you can be sure of a return on that.

Belgium, New Zealand and hosts China make up what will be the cannon fodder for Brazil, but who will claim that second spot? It's really hard to say but you'd have to choose between the Belgians and China. Your best bet in this group is just to take the money on Brazil covering a -1 handicap in each match and letting the rest of the matches play out without your money on the line.

Group D

If Italy and Cameroon do not make their way through this group then it will be a major shock. Neither South Korea nor Honduras has the tools to upset either of the two more established nations and even though strange things do happen from time to time, it's unlikely they will happen here.

Italy look a good bet for a medal and you can back them at 2.10 (Unibet) to do just that. The Italians have chosen to include just one over age player in Lazio's Tommaso Rocchi and his experience and infectious enthusiasm for the game should help bring out the best in Juve's Sebastian Giovinco who is expected to be one of the shining lights of the competition. Italy are well set going forward as they can also look to Villareal's Giuseppe Rossi for goals and with the classy Riccardo Montolivo directing play in midfield, Italy will be an entertaining team to watch. 1.55 (Unibet) to win the group, Italy should oblige and that will set them up for the rest of the tournament where they wouldn't then have to face either Argentina or Brazil until a prospective final. Interestingly the Italian Olympic squad features no players from either Milan club or Roma.

Cameroon had hoped to possibly utilise the services of Samuel Eto'o but that hope eventually did not materialise. However, Cameroon has little to fear in reaching the knock-out stage although they can't be complacent. South Korea are not completely out of the picture but it's hard to see them recording a win over Italy or Cameroon to aid their campaign and they may just fall short in the same way Japan will in group B. Little is known about the Honduran squad and they may yet prove to be the surprise package of the competition, but it's hard to place any faith in them when they are such a mystery to us all at present. The two Honduran players who play outside of their homeland play in China.

Stadiums

National Stadium	Shenyang Stadium	Tianjin Stadium
Shanghai Stadium	Qinhuangdao Stadium	Workers' Stadium

Schedule

Sports Magician picks

4.5* Argentina to win the Gold Medal @ 3.10 (Betfair & 5 Dimes)

3* Italy to win a Medal @ 2.10 (Unibet)

4* Treble – Argentina to win Group A @ 1.30, Brazil to win Group C @ 1.22 & Italy to win Group D @ 1.55 (Unibet)

ODDS