The Olympics Opening Ceremony

This time, the American Dream Team Six that participated in the Athens Olympics was actually a composite team. Superstars like O'Neal, Kobe, McGrady, Ray Allen, and Kidd didn't participate in the Athens Olympics. However, the Dream Team Six's lineup was still luxurious. Iverson, Marbury, Duncan, LeBron, Wade, Anthony, Boozer, Marion, Stoudemire, Odom, and Richard Jefferson, all of them are NBA stars of the highest caliber, including current and future superstars.

Sitting idle in the car, Zhang Guan began to analyze the American Dream Team Six. Zhang Guan raised a finger and said, "Firstly, Kidd didn't come. Who's organizing this Dream Team Six then? Are we relying on Iverson and Marbury?" Iverson and Marbury, as guards, are not incapable of organizing, but their playing style is not that of traditional playmaking guards.

Zhang Guan raised a second finger, "Secondly, Kobe, McGrady, and Allen didn't come. The Dream Team Six's perimeter firepower must be lacking. Faced with opponents who are accurate with three-pointers, they might struggle. This is something everyone surely knows."

It's well-known that the Dream Team Six had issues with perimeter shooting. None of the guards in this team were particularly accurate shooters. The current 2003 Golden Generation had only played a year in the NBA, and their skills were not as well-rounded as they would be in the future.

"Thirdly, the Dream Team Six's inside line is too weak," Zhang Guan continued.

"Wait, I don't agree with that. The US team's inside line has Duncan, Stoudemire, Boozer, and Okafor, all strong players," Ba Da interjected.

"Don't forget this is the Olympics, where international rules apply. Don't forget there's no defensive three seconds in international rules." Zhang Guan then raised a fourth finger and continued, "Next is the fourth point, international rules don't have a reasonable collision zone. The paint will definitely be crowded, rendering James and Wade's attacking methods useless. Iverson and Marbury would only be left with jump shots. I believe this US team mainly relies on individual abilities for scoring."

Zhang Guan's points could be analyzed by any basketball coach or even seasoned fans. However, because the men's national basketball team was placed in Group A while the Dream Team Six was placed in Group B, the coaching staff of the men's team didn't analyze the Dream Team Six, so the players weren't very familiar with the Dream Team Six's actual situation.

Inside the car were all basketball players. Talking about basketball seemed to open the floodgates, and with Zhang Guan leading the conversation, the car suddenly became lively.

....

Although the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics was scheduled for August 13th, many events had already started in advance, such as football.

On the night of August 10th, Athens time, the Olympic football group stage officially began. The women's event was held that evening. In the women's Group F match, the national women's football team suffered an 8-0 defeat against the German women's team. Before this match, the betting companies had given the national women's football team odds of 1:3.5 for winning the championship. The devastating 8-0 loss was completely unexpected.

The next day, the men's football matches began. The first matches were between the teams from Groups A and C. There were no surprises on this day; the expected winners emerged victorious, and teams with not too large of a gap in strength ended in draws.

At 8:30 am on August 12th, Athens time, the matches for Groups B and D of the men's football tournament began. Italy and Portugal, two favorites for the championship, were set to play on this day.

Thomas, the Deputy Director of Intelligence Analysis, and his colleagues sat together with four televisions in front of them, all broadcasting the four matches of the men's football tournament for Groups B and D of the Olympics.

Thomas used to be a scout for a small football club in the UK. Later, when the club was acquired, Thomas left. With his knowledge of football and analytical skills, he successfully entered the well-known UK betting company William Hill and has now risen to the position of Deputy Director of Intelligence Analysis.

There is a three-hour time difference between the UK and Greece, and since it was August, the UK was observing daylight saving time. Therefore, it wasn't time to finish work yet. However, during the Olympics, Thomas and his colleagues were destined to work overtime. Their job was to watch the group stage matches of the Olympic football tournament, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team, and write intelligence analysis reports for the data department to set the odds for the next matches.

In the match between Paraguay and Japan, just five minutes after the start, Paraguay scored a goal against Japan, which made Thomas think that this match would quickly lose its suspense. Costa Rica against Morocco saw both teams hesitating and probing each other. As for the match between Italy and Ghana, both teams quickly got into their rhythm, making it a fast-paced game. However, Thomas chose to ignore the match between Portugal and Iraq.

"Ghana's players are showing a lot of enthusiasm, which is different from what we expected before. We thought Ghana had declined, but now it seems this young Ghana team is still very good and could possibly be the dark horse of this group. We need to pay more attention," Thomas said to his colleagues.

Thirteen minutes into the game, Portugal led Iraq 1-0, with an own goal scored by an Iraqi defender.

On the TV screen, the Iraqi team looked dejected, and even the Portuguese team didn't seem too happy, not even celebrating after scoring. For Portugal, taking the lead against Iraq was expected, and it was an own goal, so there wasn't much to celebrate.

"This match is over. The gap between the two teams is too big. What do you think the final score will be? 5-0? 6-0? 7-0? Or maybe 10-0? Poor Iraqis, they've just experienced a cruel war and now they're being slaughtered on the football field by Portugal. I think Portugal should go easy on them and score fewer goals," Thomas said sympathetically.

Only thirteen minutes into the game, with a strong opponent like Portugal, and having conceded an own goal, no one believed Iraq could win. Some even felt that Iraqi players standing on the field at this moment was a great torment.

Three minutes later, while Portuguese fans were still reminiscing about the own goal, Ahmed Mohammed of Iraq surprisingly scored against Portugal, equalizing the score.

"Iraq scored!" Thomas was slightly surprised but then relaxed.

"Portugal relaxed their guard because of the own goal just now, but it's fine. Letting Iraq score a goal in the World Cup is also a kind of consolation for the Iraqi people," Thomas thought to himself.

The Portugal team, now equalized, appeared very anxious, especially their forward C. Ronaldo, who frequently demanded the ball. Portugal's attacks also put immense pressure on Iraq's goal.

"At this rate, Portugal should score soon! The match will still be one-sided," Thomas shifted his attention back to the Italy team.

In another match, 22 minutes in, Japan's Ono Shinji scored a goal, equalizing the score. Just four minutes later, Paraguay's Cardozo broke through Japan's defense, putting Paraguay ahead 2-1.

"Paraguay is ahead again. Portugal should also be close to scoring!" Thomas looked towards the match between Portugal and Iraq, only to find Iraq on the counter-attack.

"Huh? What's wrong with Portugal's defense? They should defend better! Catch up! Foul! Not good!" Thomas exclaimed.

Portugal's goal was breached once again. Iraq's Hawar scored, putting Iraq ahead 2-1 against Portugal.

"Iraq is actually leading? What's going on?" It wasn't until now that Thomas began to seriously observe Iraq's performance.

"Iraq's technique may be rough, and their coordination average, but they're very fast, constantly running. From a tactical perspective, Iraq's play is very simple, without very complex coordination," Thomas noted in his notebook.

Trailing behind, Portugal launched a fierce attack, and Portugal's star player, C. Ronaldo, was exceptionally active. However, luck didn't seem to be on Portugal's side.

"C. Ronaldo with the ball, he's dribbling, shooting! Oh, what a pity, hit the post!"

"C. Ronaldo with a long-range shot from outside the penalty area! Ah, off target."

"C. Ronaldo breaks into the penalty area, Iraq doesn't dare to foul, the goalkeeper comes out, shot! Great save!"

In the remaining time of the first half, C. Ronaldo displayed his superb skills and talent, hitting the post more than once.

In other matches, in the 36th minute, Ghana scored first against Italy. In the 37th minute, Paraguay's Cardozo scored his second goal, making it 3-1 for Paraguay, and this match was basically decided.

Towards the end of the first half, Bozinwa finally equalized for Portugal. Meanwhile, in stoppage time, Pia helped Ghana take a 2-0 lead over Italy.

Thomas leaned back in his chair, his notebook filled with notes, but his expression looked very serious.

Iraq drew 2-2 against Portugal, and Ghana led Italy 2-0, both exceeding Thomas's expectations, which could be considered an upset. For intelligence analysts like Thomas, upsets meant they had to do more intelligence gathering, increasing their workload.

After a short break, the second half began.

In the 49th minute, Italy's Picchi pulled one back, but Italy still trailed Ghana 1-2.

In the 51st minute, Portugal's Boa Morte received a red card.

Boa Morte played in the English Premier League, so Thomas was very familiar with him. Thomas knew Boa Morte was famous for his temper, and now he was paying the price for his recklessness.

"Portugal's fouls seem to be a bit too much, and now with one less player, the situation is unfavorable," Thomas commented.

.....

Athens, Olympic Village.

To avoid disturbing other athletes' rest, Zhang Guan ran to the athlete activity center in the Olympic Village to watch the match between Iraq and Portugal.

Watching the referee pull out the red card on the TV screen, Zhang Guan's face showed a faint smile.

"History hasn't changed after all, it's still like this, the Iraqis are going to win. But what's more important is the indomitable will and the spirit of daring to fight. That's the spirit that athletes should have!" Zhang Guan suddenly remembered that football team he unconditionally supported but always disappointed him, and sighed helplessly.

"Never mind, let's not dwell on it. Let's think about happier things!"