Tokyo Olympics 2021

[Macca 16,922]

Nicely put together goal to the Matilda's ... clinical finish by Tameka Yallop

We are in the same group as Sweden & the USA so we need to win this game against NZ

 

Edit: Sam Kerr scores from a corner kick!  Excellent set piece ... 2 nil now

Edited July 21, 2021 by Macca

[Macca 16,922]

New page so here's the mini guide again (hopefully I'll be able to update on Sunday)

Here are some of the Aussie chances ...

• Swimming: Womens 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay
• Ariarne Titmus: 200 Freestyle, 400 Freestyle
• Jessica Fox: Canoeing C1 & K1
• Rohan Dennis: Individual Time Trial (Cycling)
• Laylee McKeown: 100 Back, 200 Back, 200 IM
• Field Hockey: Kookaburra's, Hockeyroos
• Sally Fitzgibbons: Surfing
• Stewart McSweyn: Athletics - Middle Distance
• Elijah Winnington: 400m Freestyle
• Soccer: Matilda's
• Basketball: Opals & Boomers
• Rohan Browning: 100m Sprint
• Rowing: Mens Fours & Womens Fours
• Tennis: Ash Barty
• Sailing: Mens 470, Mens Laser
• Swimming: 4 x 100 Freestyle womens, Mixed 4 x 100 Medley Relay
• Triathlon: Mixed Team Relay
• Kurtis Marschall: Pole Vault
• Brandon Starc: High Jump
• Kersey-Lee Barber: Javelin
• Equestrian: 3 Day Event
• Rugby 7's: Mens & Womens
• Softball: Womens (Aussie Spirit)
• Water Polo: Stingrays & Sharks
• Kyle Chalmers: 100 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle
• Jack McLoughlin: 800 Freestyle, 1500 Freestyle

 

Olympics Official Site (Schedule) ... Once into the site, click on any date for the full rundown

Roy & HG Daily Podcast (begins July 23rd)

 

• Thurs 22/7 Softball Aust vs Italy 3.00pm
• Thurs 22/7 Football (Mens) Olyroos vs Argentina 8.00pm

 

• Sat 24/7 Hockey (Mens) Kookaburra's vs Japan 10.30am
• Sat 24/7 Softball Aust vs Canada 11.00am
• Sat 24/7 Water Polo (Womens) Stingrays vs Canada 4.15pm
• Sat 24/7 Football (Womens) Matilda's vs Sweden 6.30pm

 

• Sun 25/7 Softball Aust vs USA 11.00am
• Sun 25/7 Hockey (Womens) Hockeyroos vs Spain 8.00pm
• Sun 25/7 Water Polo (Mens) Sharks vs Montenegro 4.30pm
• Sun 25/7 Basketball (Mens) Boomers vs Nigeria 6.20pm
• Sun 25/7 Hockey (Mens) Kookaburra's vs India 7.30pm
• Sun 25/7 Football (Mens) Olyroos vs Spain 8.00pm

 

Other events on the weekend to keep an eye out for (involving the Aussies)

• Swimming heats (Sat & Sun evening)
• Swimming finals (Sunday morning)
• Rowing Heats & Semi Finals (Fri, Sat, Sun morning)
• Cycling Womens Road Race Final (Sun 2pm)
• Equestrian, Diving, Canoeing,  Sailing,  Shooting,  Surfing and lots more 
• Maybe 6 other sports with Aussie representation

Edited July 21, 2021 by Macca

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Matildas hold on for an opening 2-1 win over New Zealand. Had several chances for a bigger win, but squandered some chances in the 2nd half and went to sleep in the last 10min allowing the Kiwis to get one back.

[Macca 16,922]

Well summarised TD

Take the win tonight but we're going to have to be at our very best in the other 2 group games.  The USA & Sweden are both rated in the top 5 in the world and it's going to be tough

Sweden up next on Sat (6.30pm)

Edited July 21, 2021 by Macca

[Macca 16,922]

Didn't see the match but we're back in the hunt for a medal in the Softball after defeating Italy 1-0 today

The Olyroos/Argentina game is about to start on 7Mate and if we can eke out at least a point we'll have done well

The other 2 teams in our group (Spain & Egypt) drew 0-0 today

[Macca 16,922]

Well there's a turn up for the books!

Australia 2 Argentina 0

Who would have thought?  We played very very well despite all the yellow cards

Fantastic performance!

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Well said Macca. An amazing effort by the Olyroos for that 2-0 result! Argentina had the majority of the play in the first half, but we we're able to get them on the counter for our first goal.

A red card to Argentina on the stroke of half time allowed us to even up the general play in the 2nd half and then jag another! Our defense held up well all match and it made for a great day of results for the Aussies with our Softballers grinding out a 1-0 win.

With tomorrow the opening ceremony, there's not quite as much happening during the day, but we still have the opening of the rowing, archery, equestrian and shooting to look out for!

[Macca 16,922]

Yeah TD, as you're no doubt aware, it's really difficult to keep up with everything once the Opening Ceremony is over and done with

That's one of the reasons why I at least mark down when all the team events involving the Aussies are on.  But the track & field and swimming tops the list in terms of must-watch

Watched both the Matilda's & Olyroos games in their entirety and thoroughly enjoyed them both.  No crowds wasn't a big deal either

With the Olympics, we really are concentrating on the athletes primarily.  The crowd involvement is often noticed more once the event is finished.  As opposed to say footy where the crowd is involved in the game

Anyway, the Olyroos will be the talk of the town tomorrow.  That's a big scalp!

[Macca 16,922]

All of our rowing crews and singles advanced from their heats this morning so that's a good start

But to add to the events to look out for over the weekend is the Cycling Mens Road Race at about 12noon Saturday

Australia is represented by Like Durbridge, Lucas Hamilton & Richie Porte. There are any number of notable's competing including the Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Sadly I think the opening ceremony has left a bit to be desired. Long, failed tto really capture any of Japan's culture or history (in my opinion) and several speeches conducted in Japanese (understandable), but with no translation.

Disappointing, but looking forward to seeing the cauldron light and then watch some competition tomorrow!

[Macca 16,922]

Yes TD but the Opening Ceremony had its moments.  A tad subdued but that's what I was expecting (all things considered)

To me the highlights were the Global Drones combination, Hiromi's virtuoso performance, Lennons 'Imagine' well performed by various artists, the figurine forms representing the various sports and the lighting of the cauldron

Compared to other Opening Ceremonies, it pailed, but circumstances did govern (no crowd interaction etc) 

The number of athletes represented was way down but that's quite understandable as well

Tough one to grab the attention and they were probably never going to able to make the whole thing a memorable event (again, all things considered)

Edited July 23, 2021 by Macca

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Was all set to kick my Olympic viewing off the right way with the women's beach volleyball prelims, when sadly I find out the opening match was to feature the Czech team that tested positive for COVID! So to no shock that match has been called off.

No issue though as the Kookaburras kick off their Hockey campaign only half an hour later. Here's hoping for a comfortable win to kick off proceedings.

[Macca 16,922]

1 hour ago, MadAsHell said:

Was all set to kick my Olympic viewing off the right way with the women's beach volleyball prelims, when sadly I find out the opening match was to feature the Czech team that tested positive for COVID! So to no shock that match has been called off.

No issue though as the Kookaburras kick off their Hockey campaign only half an hour later. Here's hoping for a comfortable win to kick off proceedings.

And the Kookaburra's have started off well leading 2-0 in the 2nd quarter

Audio only now due to work committments but there's lots going on already!

Edit: Now we're down 2-3 at half time

Yikes!

Edited July 24, 2021 by Macca

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Kookaburras get the win 5-3.

An odd match. Up 2-0 at 1/4 and in control early in the 2nd before conceding 3 goals in 6 minutes to fall behind.

Kookaburras were able to get the match back on their terms in the 2nd half however and ended up getting a 5-3 win. Always tough playing a host nation first up (just ask our Softballers) and the Kookaburras were made to work for it, but they've banked the points and can look ahead to a tough game tomorrow night against India.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Another heavy loss to our Softballers, this time 7-1 to Canada. Was probably a little closer than the score suggests with the Aussies twice dismissed with loaded bases.

Chances of a gold or silver medal are probably over, but a win over one of USA or more likely Mexico should be enough to get us into the bronze medal match.

[Macca 16,922]

35 minutes ago, MadAsHell said:

Another heavy loss to our Softballers, this time 7-1 to Canada. Was probably a little closer than the score suggests with the Aussies twice dismissed with loaded bases.

Chances of a gold or silver medal are probably over, but a win over one of USA or more likely Mexico should be enough to get us into the bronze medal match.

Thanks for the updates and match summaries TD ... first class!

Listening in on the SEN app (forgotten that the ABC aren't covering the games) 

And so far, SEN are doing a fine job crossing to the relevant sports when applicable.  Overall updates very good as well

 

[dl4e 5,851]

Been watching the rowing. We won in the mens and womens pair and the mens and womens four. Our girls didn't do too well in the eights finishing about 10 secs behind the yanks.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Ash Barty and Storm Sanders have just won their way through to the 2nd round of the women's doubles in the tennis with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 victory over their Japanese opponents. 

Barty and Sanders are seeded 6th, so would have to be a chance to medal, especially if today's game has any indication. Barty not only is World number 1 in singles, but won the US Open Doubles title back in 2018, while Sanders with her left hand serve provides a good contrast. I haven't watched a lot of doubles since Hingis & Kornikova split up, but the two Aussies played well today.

John Millman also won through to the 2nd Round of the mens singles, though I didn't see any of it.

Next is another brief Beach Volleyball watch before the Water Polo starts.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Our womens water polo team kicked off their campaign with a solid 8-5 victory over Canada. Pretty entertaining game.

Here's hoping we get more ofvthe same from the Matildas shortly.

[dl4e 5,851]

19 minutes ago, MadAsHell said:

Our womens water polo team kicked off their campaign with a solid 8-5 victory over Canada. Pretty entertaining game.

Here's hoping we get more ofvthe same from the Matildas shortly.

We seemed more experienced than them. A good positive result. Forget about matildas. Sweden will win easily.

[Macca 16,922]

Brendon Smith has qualified fastest for the 400IM Final to be raced tomorrow morning.  Smashed his personal best

Hope he gets a good night's sleep! 

He's a big chance after tonight's performance

In the footy ... Demons battling away but we'll need to get a move on

Edited July 24, 2021 by Macca

[Macca 16,922]

                                        Sunday Schedule (Notable Events)

• 10.00am  Rowing:  Semi's & Quarter's
• 11.00am  Hockey:  Hockeyroos vs Spain (previously listed as 8.00pm)
• 11.00am  Softball:  Australia vs USA
• 11.30am  Swimming Final's & Semi's
• 12 Noon  Tennis: Ash Barty vs Sorribes
• 1.00pm  Womens Beach Volleyball: Aust vs Cuba
• 2.00pm  Cycling: Womens Road Race
• 2.15pm  Canoe Slalom: Mens & Women (Australia represented in both - Watkins & Nicholas)
• 4.00pm  Diving: Womens Synchronised 3m Springboard Final
• 4.30pm  Mens Waterpolo: Australia vs Montenegro
• 6.20pm  Mens Basketball: Boomers vs Nigeria
• 7.30pm  Hockey: Kookaburra's vs India
• 8.00pm  Swimming: Heats
• 8.30pm  Football: Olyroos vs Spain

[Macca 16,922]

5 hours ago, dl4e said:

We seemed more experienced than them. A good positive result. Forget about matildas. Sweden will win easily.

We had our chances but Sweden were the superior team ... I can see them winning the gold medal as they are very talented.  Sam Kerr had a terrific game.  That thunderbolt from Rolfe for them was amazing

The top 2 from our group go through plus the 2 best 3rd placegetters out of the 7 groups.  Next up is the USA and we might have to win the game to advance if the Americans are ahead on goal difference prior to the game starting (USA leads NZ 2-0 at half time)

Edited July 24, 2021 by Macca

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Matildas did alright tonight. Went down 4-2 to Sweden, but had Sam Kerr of converted her penalty to level it at 3-3 with 20min to go, who knows how it would have turned out?

Looking ok for the swimming in the morning to. Brendan Smith qualified fastest in the 400IM, Eli Winnington and Javk McLaughlin both real chances in the 400 freestyle while the gold is ours to lose in the women's 4×100 freestyle relay.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

That will likely do it for me for Day 1. Our mens Beach Volleyball team who won Gold at the Commonwealth Games but are ranked 41 in the world lost a tight 3 set match to the World number 1's from Norway.

Hopefully this bodes well for the Aussies getting out of the group stage and into the Round of 16, but we'll have to see how their next two group matches go.

Our much more fancied womens team of Clancy & Del Solar are up tomorrow. Ranked 5 in the world I'm pretty sure, so hopefully we can see them go deep in this tournament.

Until tomorrow!