I can't quite believe that we are already at the semi final stage of the Olympic football tournament already, it seems to have gone by very quickly. We have definitely been treated to some fantastic games so far and in the quarter finals we saw brilliant results and to be honest a few of them actually shocked me as I thought they would go the opposite way. I really thought we were going to see Team GB progress but sadly they fell short and are out of the competition as are the Netherlands who I thought were going to be taking home a medal for sure. So we are down to our last 4 teams and here are the games we are being treated too and our predictions...

Australia vs Sweden

I am really looking forward to this game as we are going to be seeing two absolutely brilliant teams going head to head. I really do think these two teams are two of the most up and coming teams who are showing a whole lot of potential. Australia have a very young team too so I can only see them getting better and better each competition they participate in. Sweden have also shown over the past few years they aren't to be taken lightly and we are seeing them put in fantastic performances against those top ranked teams. Australia are through to the semi finals after beating Team GB 4-3 in extra time after coming back from 2-1 down in the second half of normal time which just goes to show they aren't to be messed with and have a fight in them. I just wonder if that extra time is going to have taken some of the fitness out of the team but with them being a young team you just aren't sure. Sweden are through after beating Japan 3-1 in normal time so they haven't had to go through that extra half hour so are they going to go into the semis with fresher legs? We are soon going to see. I think Sweden could come out as the winners of this game but I am secretly hoping that Australia do so we can say we were knocked out by a team that reached the final. 

USA vs Canada

Honestly I didn't even think we were going to see the USA in these stages of the tournament as they really haven't looked their best for some reason. They have just looked very disjointed and like they are struggling which just goes to show those other teams around them that they can be beat after seeing them look so invincible after all these years. They managed to progress after beating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties in a bit of a replay of the 2019 Women's World Cup Final. When I first saw this game I thought it would be the Netherlands progressing due to both teams recent form however, thanks to Naeher the USA are the team hoping to take home a gold or silver medal by progressing to the final she is really showing us all why she is the number 1 goalkeeper for the USA. Their opponents will be Canada which is bound to make a good game with the neighbors battling it out to progress into the next stage. Canada beat Brazil 4-3 on penalties which was a bit of a surprise for me as I thought Brazil could have won that game but seeing the progress Brazil are starting to make is fantastic, granted they have been a bit hit and miss lately but they are turning up during this competition when it is needed the most. I think despite their recent form the USA could win this game but Canada really won't go out without a fight. 

I am really looking forward to seeing who ends up taking a medal home from the tournament as I think there is still chance for a few surprises. Remember the winners go on to battle it out for the gold & silver medals while the losers will battle it out for the bronze medal. Three teams will take home a medal one will be going home empty handed but who is it going to be? I can't wait to find out and you will be able to read more about the competition as it progresses. I just wish I was able to say Team GB were aiming for a medal.