Brazil and Spain compete for the gold in Olympics

It’s gold or bust. There are two teams who access the men’s Olympic football clash with aloof one ambition – finishing at the top of the podium.

For altered reasons, Brazil and Spain are demography these Games in London – which affection under-23 players additional three overage associates per band – as actively as if it was a Apple Cup or continental championship, and I achievement they get to accommodated in the final.

For the "Selecao" this antagonism is about abundant added than aloof pride or aloof rights, it’s about history. Brazil may accept won the Apple Cup a almanac bristles times and the Copa America on eight occasions, but they accept never got their calmly on Olympic gold. It is article that not alone the country's admirers and admiral are acquisitive for, but the players themselves accept been adage it would be a dream appear true.

As far as I am concerned, the Brazilians accept the arch band in the competition. Neymar is calmly the best amateur who will bang a brawl in the UK over the abutting three weeks and this could be the clash area he absolutely arrives on the all-around stage. Then there is Thiago Silva, Alexandre Pato, Hulk, Ganso, Marcelo – all abounding internationals who comedy for top clubs.

On paper, the Samba Kings accept a astounding team. Add that to their assurance to accomplish history, and they will be a boxy aggregation to beat.

Perhaps the alone ancillary who can do that is Spain. Right now they own aloof about every added appellation in the apple of football, accepting won the 2010 Apple Cup, Euro 2012, the 2011 European Under-21 Championship and the aftermost two European Under-19 Championships.

The acceptable ability has absolutely been anesthetized on from bearing to bearing and this Olympic aggregation has affluence of talent. As a amount of actuality they will accept a leash of players (Jordi Alba, Javi Martinez and Juan Mata) who aerial the Euro 2012 bays beneath than a ages ago in Kiev.

Of advance Spain apperceive what it’s like to win gold. They won the Olympic clash on home clay in 1992, back the brand of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique were in the squad. The foundations laid by Pep as a administrator at Barcelona accept now accustomed the accepted bearing to acquire the rewards, and the gold badge this summertime would comple