U.S. kickers stop Brazil for gold
The game marked the final competitive appearance together for the remaining players from the first World Cup championship team in 1991 (see Page A1). The five helped bring their sport to national prominence and captured the country's imagination by winning the World Cup in 1999.
Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett are retiring from the national team — although they might play in some farewell exhibitions this fall — leaving Lilly and Brandi Chastain as the last of the old guard.
After the game, the team took a victory lap, waving flags to the crowd of 10,416 at Karaiskaki Stadium.
Brazil received its first women's soccer medal after finishing fourth at the last two Olympics. Germany, which beat Sweden 1-0 in the third-place game, took the bronze.
WOMEN'S WATER POLO
Melania Grego's lob goal with 2:04 remaining in the second overtime gave Italy a come-from-behind 10-9 victory over Greece for the Olympic water polo gold medal.
But Grego and Tania di Mario scored to pull Italy even with nine seconds remaining in the first extra period.
Ellen Estes scored three times for the United States, which won the bronze, 6-5 over Australia. The Australians edged the United States for gold four years ago.
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
Russia, Japan and the United States were 1-2-3 after the Olympic team technical event, the same places they finished in the duet competition a day earlier.
Russia was first with 49.667 points and Japan second with 49.167.
The Americans were third with 48.584, giving them a chance for their first team medal since they claimed the first Olympic gold in team competition in 1996.
MEN'S TRIATHLON
Hamish Carter pulled away from Bevan Docherty on the final lap of the triathlon, giving New Zealand a 1-2 finish in the endurance race. Sven Riederer of Switzerland got the bronze after fading from the leaders down the stretch.
Carter, Docherty and Riederer ran together for most of the final leg of the swim-cycle-run event. During the last three kilometers, the two New Zealanders pulled away, turning it into a two-man race. Hunter Kemper, the top American, finished ninth.
SAILING
Iker Martinez and Xavier Fernandez of Spain won the gold medal in the 49er class. They finished seventh in the deciding 16th race aboard their fast skiff to win gold by five points over Rodion Luka and George Leonchuk of Ukraine.
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