Olympics 2012 TV Schedule; Soccer, What To Expect Before Opening Ceremony [LIST]
The 2012 London Olympics Schedule will be in full swing beginning July 27 when the opening ceremony is initiated. However, before that, men's soccer will engage in opening matches on Thursday to kick off the world-wide event.
The 2012 Olympics men's soccer team is composed of mostly young players. Therefore, the degree of play will not be as intense as the World Cup or even the European Championship. However, three matches in the schedule are expected to be the most exciting and vigorous.
Brazil will go up against Egypt. Many predict Brazil will take the win even before the match begins, thanks to players like Thiago Silva and Marcelo. However, Egypt has grown as a great competitor in men's soccer and is considered the best of the four African teams represented in the 2012 Olympics soccer games. Although Brazil seems like the obvious win, their game has been disappointing over the past few years. Therefore, a definite prediction on the winner is up in the air.
Another Olympics match on the schedule is Spain versus Japan. Spain are the dominating leaders in men's soccer. They have claimed World Cup and Euro Championship victory. However, a gold win at the London Olympics would give them even more to boast.
Japan is a lesser known team. However, they are a well-trained and strategic group with a disciplined style that will force the Spanish team to be awake and on alert during the game.
While many of Spains' top players will not be on the field, Javi Martinez and Juan Mata are expected to play their best for the win.
Great Britain will be going against Senegal. The football federation of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland were not in favor of the collaboration. But the team came together since the Olympics is being held in London. It is the first time since 1960 that Great Britain will be represented on the men's soccer field.
The Great Britain team is composed of mostly English players, but some Welsh also. One Welsh player, captian Ryan Giggs, 38, will be playing in his first major international tournament.
The match against Senegal is considered to be an easy win for Great Britain. They are most favored to win bronze behind Brazil and Spain.
Be sure to check out the full list below of men's soccer games beginning Thursday. And the complete 2012 London Olympics Schedule here!
July 26 Men's Soccer Schedule
Honduras vs. Morocco, 7 a.m. ET (NBC Sports Network)
Mexico vs. South Korea, 9:30 a.m. ET (NBC Sports Network)
Spain vs. Japan, 9:45 a.m. ET (MSNBC)
United Arab Emirates vs. Uruguay, 12 p.m. ET (NBC Sports Network)
Gabon vs. Switzerland, 12:15 p.m. ET (MSNBC)
Belarus vs. New Zealand, 2:45 p.m. ET (NBC Sports Network)
Brazil vs. Egypt, 2:45 p.m. ET (MSNBC)
Great Britain vs. Senegal, 3 p.m. ET (NBC Sports Network)
