Honduras have exceeded all expectations this Olympics, and are now two more wins away from realising their Olympic dreams.
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But there was more doom and gloom for Brazilians.
That hope was dashed in Rio yesterday when Sweden beat Brazil in the semi-finals in a penalty shoot-out after a match dominated by the home side. As Lisa Dahlkvist fired in the winning penalty to silence the baying crowd, Marta could only sink to her knees in the centre circle.
It didn’t bother her at all. Sweden qualified for the final after beating Brazil on penalty kicks. Germany got two goals past Stephanie Labbe, and the Canadians couldn’t answer them.
“It s very hard to think of what to say to them (the younger players) now”.
Sweden also upset the the US on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals.
It will be Neid’s last match as coach of the German team.
Despite the setbacks, the spirits of the athletes remained high. “It is more of our road that we have taken and the fact that the USA team has always been winning a medal, and we were very proud of the fact that it was us playing the semi and now the final and not the USA”, she said. The men’s soccer team survived, but Agatha and Barbara lost in the beach volleyball gold medal match to Germany.
Germany, meanwhile, avenged a loss to Canada earlier in the games, sending the Canadians to the bronze medal match for the second straight Olympics.
Brazil was ousted from a shot at the gold-medal match 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw against Sweden on Tuesday.
“These Olympic Games were different for us”. But against Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, the Brazilians were playing from behind from the start.
The two faced off last at the Women’s World Cup in Canada last summer, with Germany coming out on top 4-1 in the opening match of the knockout round. It is also the first all-European final since women’s soccer became an Olympic sport in 1996.
“I am so proud of my people, the Brazilian people”, Talita said.
The Americans will play France in Thursday’s semifinals.
An alternative, though, played out past year in Ottawa. They won the silver at Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) and were runners-up in the World Cup in China in 2007.
Sweden’s discipline and dedication has secured them an unexpected medal.
Jason Kenny followed with gold in the keirin as the British won six of the eight gold medals available in the program. The fans lustily booed the decision and jeered Tishchenko as he accepted his gold medal.
Never in trouble, Conceicao defeated France’s Sofiane Oumiha by unanimous decision in the lightweight dicision.
The 29-year-old midfielder was the fifth Swedish penalty taker, with Brazil having gone first.
When Conceicao had his hand raised, he dropped to his knees as the crowd erupted and shook the bleachers. Expect Brazil to make the final in front of a partisan home crowd. Kevin Durant scored 27 points and Manu Ginobili received an emotional farewell from the passionate Argentine fans in his final Olympic game. It was his second medal in Rio (synchronized 3-meter). The draw price is now set at +258. Ireland’s national Olympic committee said Hickey is stepping down “until the matter is fully resolved”.
“With Marta you have to have a little extra attention to her, even though our team defense is really good and really organized”.
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Organizers made adjustments including having professionals instead of volunteer drivers transport International Olympic Committee guests.
