MadAsHell

Well done Brendan Smith on getting our first medal of the games with Bronze in the 400IM. Finished like a freight train again, however unfortunately gave up just a bit too much of a lead.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

So it's official, Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympic Games after first hosting the Commonwealth Games 50 years prior in 1982! https://www.news.com.au/sport/olympics/brisbane-officially-announced-as-host-of-2032-olympics/news-story/daf7ba17f789c1f1dfd6b73759dd1a14 In some of the other results to fall today, in the third Softball match Canada defeated Mexico 4-0. While in the womens soccer; Great Britain defeated Chile 2-0 Brazil defeated China 5-0 & Sweden defeated USA 3-0.

USA defeat a plucky Italian team 2-0. Hard to say which team it says most about. Canada v Mexico up at 4:00pm before the soccer tournament kicks off at 5:30pm.

Saw that. What an absolute muppet! Should have the book thrown at him like any drug cheat. I don't care if it's cocaine, dope or steroids, athletes know what the rules are. No sympathy for anyone caught doing the wrong thing.

No semi's it seems. Only 6 teams competing in a round robin format. At the end, 1st & 2nd play for Gold & 3rd & 4th play for bronze. First time we've seen Softball since 2008 Beijing and we already know it wont be at Paris 2024. Given there's only 6 nations competing, it probably not that big a shock. So this games will likely be the only chance this generation has to compete at a games. Next match starts at 1pm AEST with USA v Italy. Might give it a watch just to see what the competition is like.

Aussie Softballers flogged 8-1 and the mercy has come into effect in the 5th innings. Not the result the girls would have been after. They'll need to regroup if they want to match their 2008 efforts of a bronze medal. Started ok with the first score, but after the 1st innings they couldn't lay bat on ball. Japan look very good!

So with lockdown to continue for at least another 7 days, it's time to settle in for the Olympics! Action kicks off tomorrow, more than 48 hours out from the opening ceremony. 10:00am our softball team open proceedingsagainst the host nation Japan and at 9:30pm the Matildas come up against New Zealand. Fingers crossed for a perfect start to the next 2.5 weeks!

A day after the Cambage circus the Opals have knocked off the US! https://www.news.com.au/sport/olympics/opals-show-they-dont-need-cambage-in-monster-win-over-united-states/news-story/3d5ade019ed2caf9862a096b651566fc Hopefully this bodes well with the group now being galvanised.

IMO opinion Liz has walked before being pushed given everything going on. Will be interesting to see if this galvanises the Opals or if they really struggle as a result. While some of the newer events aren't to everyone's tastes @radar the occasional ones hit very well. Rugby 7's at the last Olympics, Beach Volleyball in 96'. Futsal could become your new favorite sport yet!?

This will be a big blow to the Opals medal chances, but I think she has to go. You can't have a team leader behaving in her fashion. Not to mention she has a habit of making things all about her which probably isn't the best ingredients for a successful team. https://www.news.com.au/sport/olympics/liz-cambage-could-be-stood-down-from-olympics-for-multiple-incidents/news-story/ab470852cb0a607f237f8533a99e80e9 Also Alex De Minaur is out after testing positive to COVID. No doubt there could be others. https://www.news.com.au/sport/olympics/alex-de-minaur-has-been-forced-to-pull-out-of-the-olympics-after-testing-positive-to-covid19/news-story/7dc3e8305630a938a652010bd1816310

Olympics will have no crowds due to the recent spike in cases in Tokyo. Over 900 the other day it seems. It was already set to proceed with locals only and no cheering, however now it will just be for TV. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.nine.com.au/article/3e84fc38-2b06-43d8-b828-2c6b7319cee1 As a result we see that Nick Kyrigos has withdrawn due to not playing in front of crowds. Can't say I blame anyone for doing so to be fair. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.news.com.au/sport/olympics/reason-aussie-tennis-star-nick-kyrgios-snubbing-tokyo-olympics/news-story/11c004463b548b63aebe19748a725329 Watching the Olympics with no crowds will be odd. Have to say I feel for the city of Tokyo. Hosting the Olympics ain't cheap and now with no tourists or even local supporters, they're not going to get much back at all! Makes one wonder whether a decision should have been made late last year or even at the start of this year to move the games somewhere that had COVID a bit more under control???

Thanks for all the above info @Macca. Very comprehensive list above and not much I think I could add at this stage, outside of our Womens 4x200m Freestyle relay team. You mentioned 4x100m and the medley, but I reckon if we only win one Gold Medal for the whole Olympics, it will be the Womens 4x200m. Otherwise a big interest will be to see if the Boomers can finally win their first medal. I think they're a good chance, though it wont be easy. Simmons withdraw and Bogut's retirement hurt, but I still think we're capable. Also a change in the format makes it interesting also. No more two groups of 6, rather three groups of 4 and the highest 8 ranked teams go into a draw for the Quarter Finals. I think this has been done to avoid tanking (avoid certain opponents) plus reduce the amount of games played. Also look out to see how the Hockeyroos fare after their review wrapped up earlier this year and there were all sorts of culture problems which you can read about here. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/hockeyroos-coach-quits-as-review-set-to-be-released-20210317-p57boy.html But can't wait to get into it. Have got my two weeks leave staycation all booked so I can watch the majority!

Not impossible. Carltank had the chance to do it in 2013!

Are your eyes painted on @58er or do you just struggle to read? Where have I said we should target Kent? I've listed him as an option along with several others and in the quote you referenced, have even said there's two others I'd clearly favour ahead of him I also fail to see what's disrespectful to our HFFers when I've said we could put him on a wing??? Again if you could actually read you'd see I've said Baker would be the one to make way (wingman) which is who Kent or any of the others names I listed would replace. I will stick up for him that he was in our 22, but was just injured all the time that made him that irregular in the team. If it weren't for his shoulder injury in Round 23, he would have been in our 22 in the finals that year, no doubt.

I'll give you that. Not wrong. Though to be fair he's mainly been played as a pressure forward. Not saying he'd be a super recruit just one option amongst 4 others I suggested as a cheap option. Personally I'd love to see us turn Lochie O'Brien around or pry Jeremy Sharp from Gold Coast. But also I wouldn't be shattered to see Dean Kent return.