Here’s a medal that isn’t guaranteed to the hosts

Only a victory against Brazil in a few hours time will allow China’s football team to advance to the quarter-finals of the men’s football Olympic football event, and judging by the nostalgic snippet above (courtesy of Pies), the hosts’ pedigree suggests Ronaldinho et al will ruin the party.

(The clip is taken from Fantasy Football League in 1996, and we can only pray that Danny Baker has shelled out for a haircut and some trousers by now.)

Spoiler Olympic bonus: See a Brazilian lady score an impressive overhead kick at the Olympics after the jump…

Brazil offer great value at 3.6

Holders Argentina are the favourites but were dealt a big blow yesterday when the Court of Arbitration in Sport allowed Barcelona the right to block Lionel Messi from competing…

Argentina (2.96) were victorious in 2004 but not since Hungary in 1968 has a nation retained gold. The last six winners have failed to reach the semi-finals four years later.

Brazil (3.6) are in Group C, which could prove to be a lucky omen because the last two winners were drawn there.

The Netherlands (8.2) have won the last two Euro Under 21 Championships. The last five Olympic gold-winners all failed to reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup; in 2006 the Netherlands lost out to Portugal in the Second Round.

Italy (8.4) took bronze in 2004 and the last time they took bronze - 1928 - they won gold the next time around. However, the last five gold-medalists have all been first time winners.

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