In Sweden we especially look forward to this summer’s Olympic football tournament since both the men and women are qualified to the competition. The 2016 Olympic Games will take place in Rio, Brazil, and it most certainly will be a hot story as we remember from FIFA World Cup 2014. The men’s team must consist of players below 23 years old except for three players. The women will play with their ordinary teams. We of course hope that a star or two will join their youth teams for the tournament. What if Zlatan Ibrahimovic decided to take part in the Olympics? It would be a blast! Below are groups and schedule for both tournaments.
Groups and schedule, men
Group A: Brazil, Iraq, South Africa and Denmark
Group B: Japan, Nigeria, Sweden and Colombia
Group C: Mexico, South Korea, Fiji and Germany
Group D: Argentina, Honduras, Portugal and Algeria
August 4-10: Group stage
August 12: Quarterfinals
August 16: Semi-finals
August 19: Final and Bronze Medal Match
Comment: Team that are used to play in heat will of course have an advantage. In group A, the host nation are looking for revenge for the failure in World Cup 2014. Group B could go either way, but Colombia are one of the favorites. In group C, current World Cup champions Germany will go for the group win, mainly contested by Mexico. In group D, Argentina and Portugal are the main competitors for winning the group.
Groups and schedule, women
Group E: Sweden, Brazil, China and South Africa.
Group F: Australia, Germany, Canada and Zimbabwe
Group G: USA, France, New Zealand and Colombia
August 3-9: Group stage
August 12: Quarterfinals
August 16: Semi-finals
August 19: Final and Bronze Medal Match
Comment: Among the favorites here are Brazil, Germany, USA and France. The Swedish ladies have been struggling in the latest tournament and had trouble with the heat in the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada last summer.
