Argentina Defends Their Olympic Gold Medal

August 23rd, 2008 | by: chris |

In an Olympic gold medal game marked strangely by two extra stoppages in play for water breaks, Argentina got the lone goal and that’s all they needed to defend their gold medals, as they’ll look to go to London for a three-peat. Angel Di Maria – a revelation these games for those who don’t pay attention to the Portuguese league – chipped the onrushing keeper from just outside the box as a fairly even game came down to one magnificent ball (and a magnificent pass from who else, Lionel).

And with the last two gold medals in their back pockets, the kids will be all grown up in 2010, meaning it might be a smart move to throw some serious money on Argentina when South Africa starts rolling around.

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Native Son

Hi guys,

nice photo this!

I love it.

http://olympics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/22/live-soon-argentina-nigeria-gold-medal-soccer/
http://littlemissdiana.blogspot.com diana

‘marked strangely by two extra stoppages in play for water breaks’
It was because of the temperature. 42 degrees Celsius. The match began at noon, Beijing time.

Even if I am used to the humidity, I almost got freaked out reading what was the temperature. Coming from Singapore, I am used to such weather (we have hot and humid climate here but somehow recently, it has been raining). I know I myself come from a country very near to the Equator (and Beijing is actually very much further away from the Equator) but to imagine those guys playing the match when it’s 42 degree Celsius…it’s still a little scary.

Anyhow, I was lucky to see how the goal came about on TV. Nice.
http://italy.worldcupblog.com Chris

Then the broadcast I listened to got it very, very wrong. They said 85F.
http://littlemissdiana.blogspot.com diana

Hmm. From what I read, it was 32 degrees Celsius in the shade and 42 degree Celscius on the pitch.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,3033_4035715,00.html
http://www.mcalcio.com Marco Pantanella

One thing’s for sure: it was hot.

Chris, Di Maria isn’t exactly a “revelation” in the sense he had already played an excellent 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup (I know, I was there :]), scoring 3 goals. Him and Agüero were voted among the best players of the tournament if I remember correctly, and that’s probably what pushed Benfica to the quick buy…
http://italy.worldcupblog.com Chris

“he had already played an excellent 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup”

Right, how many casual fans watched that for any team but their own country?

Diane, sounds like they’d mixed up shade/pitch temperature. Or were taking the pitch temperature from a thermometer somewhere in the stands. Makes more sense now.
http://redbulls.theoffside.com Dave Martinez

Hey Chris – even I had to give my wonderful biceleste some love – on the Red Bulls page no less!

http://redbulls.theoffside.com/players-red-bulls-news-rumors-opinions/a-great-footballing-weekend.html

DALE CAMPEOOOOOON!!!!! DALE CAMPEOOOOOON!!!!! DALE CAMPEON, DALE CAMPEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://redbulls.theoffside.com Dave Martinez

And to Marcos point – DiMaria did it on what is considered the largest world wide soccer stage, next to the World Cup. So it was a coming out party for him, for sure.