Yep, it's the early game being shown. Watching Brazil-Cameroon and following the text of Italy-Belgium.

Brazil-Cameroon isn't quite at the level of Netherlands-Portugal but it's awfully close.

EDIT: The fish doll hit me for not mentioning (my excuse is that I just woke up) but he's very cross. There are no ducks on the pitch right now. Hope he's not hurt!

Brazil - Cameroon is scoreless at the half. 5 yellows so far.

And...argh. Belgium got a goal right on the stroke of halftime. (Thanks a LOT Bocchetti). Belgium 2 - 1 Italy.

I don't think Pato's hurt. he's on the bench ( @ Dunga).

http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/...shtml#FBM400301

Italy will come back. they just cannot afford to lose to a 10-man Belgium (who I've heard are missing a few first team players as well).

No changes for anyone, personnel wise, at the start of the second half.

As for Brazil, their play right now reminds me a little of Milan's last year. Great in the middle third of the park, but the attack breaks down in the last third.

Cameroon's Banning sent off for a studs-up high kick on Lucas. And he's trying to argue it. His teammates are having to walk him off the pitch.

Abate on for Cigarini for Italy. Rossi got a yellow for diving, though the text commentary I'm reading (both Gazzetta and Eurosport.italy) think it was a bad call. Belgium's also had to change keepers.

Thiago Neves on for Brazil. Bunch more cards for both sides. It's still scoreless.

Oh dear. These African sides, their primary weapon is pace. And they can be quite dangerous at times. As long as Brazil don't concede there is a chance. As for Italy, meh. They should give it their all.

Another penalty for Italy. Rossi converts. Italy 2 - 2 Belgium. Phew.

Can't believe Pato isn't on yet, Sobis has been terrible.

Double phew. Now who's one for some Thiago Neves magic? I know I am.

Agreed. He's been totally anonymous.

This Brazil-Cameroon game is just painful to watch. Brazil are better than they're playing. they're showing precious little creativity and have had very few shots. Credit to Cameroon for not letting Brazil play their game. They're putting on a good performance for 10 guys.

I think the card count is at 10 now.

EDIT: Unbelievable. Belgium get another goal and lead 3-2. Italy keeper Viviano sent off.

Damn you, Belgium! Sure does feel bad when both the sides you're supporting don't come off as winners. It's not over till it's over, but it would take a whole lot of effort to climb back for the Azurri.

4 goals from the spot so far.

EDIT: Ouch. 3-2?

Abate had to be subbed too due to injury.

FT Belgium 3 - 2 Italy. Credit to Belgium for getting the win without their two best players and being a man down for a big portion of the game.

Brazil-Cameroon is going to extra time.

I think that's more a discredit to the Azzurrini for not being able to control and dominate the game even then.

Unbelievable.... I feel for the fish doll, even myself. I wanted a Brazil-Italia final, though I doubt Brazil can go that far...

///

BRING ON PATO

Where is Ale ?!

First the Euros and now the Olympics. this is not Italia's year...

Agreed, Grin. They should have been able to control the game but they just went to pieces (according to the commentary; I didn't see this game) after Belgium's first goal.

Extra time has started for Brazil-Cameroon. It's just reminding me so much of the many Milan games last season that had me screaming with frustration because I knew the team was better than they were showing. Cameroon isn't parking the bus but they're putting enough pressure on Brazil to keep them from playing with any continuity. Brazil for their part are just...really flat.

Tennie, no Pato yet?

They dont have Ronaldo

Not yet. Brazil have 1 sub left, however. The American commentator (this one's half clueful) has been screaming for Pato to be brought on since the beginning of the second half.

Goal Brazil ! Sobis

True. But there will come a time when he'll really not be available, and Brazil should be prepared for it.

Finally. Goal Brazil. Sobis actually did something useful, probably the first time all game.

Is he the same guy who's been terrible all morning? Well a goal never hurts, as long as you're the one scoring it.

Maybe he's injured. I can't find any other explanation...

Hasn't that time already come?

What a goal !!!!!

Make that 2-0. Marcelo with a very pretty goal.

Jo on for Sobis. Maybe something is wrong with Pato.

Or maybe he's just resting. You guys are so pessimistic

You never can say. For the most part yes, but there are still a couple of years between now and the 2010 World Cup.

Ha. Given the walking infirmary that Milan's been the last two seasons, perhaps I am a bit pessimistic. (On my wall is an article from Gazzetta from Nov 2006. It's got pictures of the Milan players with little band-aid icons over where their injuries are. there are 13 guys pictured). Then again, given how rough Cameroon have been perhaps it was better to rest Pato for this game rather than risk a nasty injury.

I'm afraid .. he did get injured ... During warm ups

Belgium end Azzurri dream

Italy's Olympic dreams were shattered in a controversial 3-2 quarter-final defeat to Belgium, who played with 10 men for 75 minutes.

Channel4



Italy Out In Controversial Fashion

Ten man Belgium played 74 minutes and did enough to send the Azzurrini packing from Beijing. Pierluigi Casiraghi's men were average on the night and it's Arriverderci China and gold medal hopes. However, Italy will feel hard done following some shocking refereeing decisions...

goal.com




I didn't watch the game but it's hard to believe the refereeing was against Italy, considering two penalties and a red card in favor of them. I don't think they are lying though.

Oh well, that can't be a more-than-two-days injury then

Anyhow, reading the Italy-Belgium game match reports, it seems that the referee helped Belgium to progress by giving the first Belgium goal when the ball had not crossed the line, not giving two obvious penalties and, disallowing 2 proper Italian goals and also not sending off the striker as well when giving Viviano his marching orders since it was the striker who threw the ball into Viviano's face. If this is true then...

2010 World Cup? I'd say he has zero chance for that. remember how everyone scathingly attacked Ronaldo for 2006 WC failure? and he will be 34 when 2010 World Cup starts. ain't gonna happen IMO.

The commentary I read wasn't happy about the refereeing - particularly the goal which they don't think crossed the line. They didn't have a problem with Viviano being sent off, however. He did react even if he was provoked.

Eee injured Duck?

Yeah ... Commentator was talking about him slipping on the stairs or something .. injuring his back

****

EDIT: I didn't even read your post slipping on the stairs??! are you serious??! (well I'm optimistic, shouldn't be anything more than a bruise. hopefully he will make it to the semi final)

WHOA!! WHAT? Didn't his mama tell him not to play on the stairs?

I'm guessing it must have been real bad, cuz I have slipped on the stairs once or twice and I remember it was painful, but I was ok ... Hmm, but to play those anonymous players ahead of Pato, it must have been something serious

Weren't they blaming Ronaldinho for partying after Brazil's exit? In all probability Ronaldo didn't light the fire in the last world cup, and he was one of the reason for the bad performance. Another big reason was that dork Adriano. That guy shouldn't be allowed near a 1-mile radius of the Samba team.

Anyway, I agree with you that there is a 99% chance it's over, but I've built my life around the remaining 1%. Time will tell.

Oh dear. Stair injuries can take weeks if not months. I pray to God it's nothing serious.

Yeah, I too have fallen from the stairs in my childhood (I have a habit of learning from mistakes) and it was really bad. I got 5 stitches to my forehead

Considering Pato's back injury (even if it was not that serious - hopefully), how tough Cameroon played and his performance in the previous game (apparently not very brilliant) I can understand Dunga - for once - playing those anonymous players ahead of him.

Thing is, he played those anonymous players, cuz Pato couldn't get on the pitch. This sucks, when it is a back injury, you never know how long it would take, take an example off of Nesta

True. Very true. The coach knows things we fans don't. Either way let's wait for more news to see the extent of the injury. One thing is for sure, Pato is certainly living up to his tag of 'New Ronaldo' when it comes to injuries at least.

I can't think of what will happen to Milan if Pato doesn't return from the Olympics in one piece. Our attack is done for.