NBC Olympics Schedule 2016: Rio Event Guide, Live Stream Info and Saturday Picks
Technically speaking, the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro kicked off Wednesday with the start of the women's soccer tournament. However, the event truly begins Saturday—the first day following the opening ceremony.
The full schedule for Saturday's events is available on NBC's Olympics website. Fans can live-stream the action on the NBC Sports app and on NBCSports.com.
Below is a look ahead to some of the more notable sports that will feature on the first official day of the 2016 Olympics.
Notable Events
| 1:15 p.m. | Men's Basketball | Australia vs. France | NBCSN |
| 4 p.m. | Women's Soccer | United States vs. France | NBCSN |
| 4 p.m. | Women's Volleyball | United States vs. Puerto Rico | NBC |
| 5 p.m. | Women's Soccer | Germany vs. Australia | CNBC |
| 6 p.m. | Men's Basketball | China vs. United States | NBC |
| 9 p.m. | Women's Soccer | Brazil vs. Sweden | NBCSN |
| 11 p.m. | Women’s Beach Volleyball | United States (Walsh Jennings/Ross) vs. Australia (Artacho Del Solar/Laird) | NBC |
Saturday Picks
Men's Basketball: China vs. United States
Through injury or a variety of other reasons, the United States is without a number of marquee stars, including Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Despite that, Team USA will be the heavy favorite to win gold in Rio.
The United States played China twice during its pre-Olympic showcase. The U.S. won the first game 106-57 and the second 107-57.
Mike Krzyzewski isn't the most universally beloved basketball coach in the country, but it's impossible to ignore the impact he has had on Team USA. The 2004 Olympics were a low point for the country, and Coach K has done his best to ensure that doesn't happen again.
Complacency will be the United States' biggest opponent Saturday. From top to bottom, it's a far superior team to China.
In their two July exhibitions against Team USA, the Chinese shot a combined 36 percent from the field, including 26.5 percent from three-point range. If China isn't consistently knocking down three-pointers, it won't stand a chance against the United States.
Team USA should jump out to a healthy lead after the first quarter and not look back.
Prediction: United States 102, China 61
Women's Soccer: United States vs. France
The United States and France never crossed paths at the 2015 Women's World Cup. They would've played in the semifinals, but the Germans advanced instead of the French in the quarterfinals. At least fans are getting to see the two women's soccer titans face off in Rio.
The United States and France occupy two of the top three places in the FIFA ranking, with the former in first place and the latter in third.
While the U.S. is the reigning Olympic and World Cup champion, there are some serious questions about the squad. As Fox Soccer's Caitlin Murray noted, the team has gone through a serious overhaul:
According to Goal.com's Thomas Floyd, midfielder Megan Rapinoe also confirmed the end of the group stage is likely when she'll return from the torn ACL she suffered in December. Since her availability is in question, many, including Equalizer Soccer's Dan Lauletta, are questioning whether coach Jill Ellis should use a roster spot on her:
The United States beat France in March's SheBelieves Cup, but it needed a 91st-minute goal from Alex Morgan to seal the victory.
France easily could've won the game, with Hope Solo making a number of saves in the first half to keep the French off the scoresheet.
Eugenie Le Sommer's lethal finishing could be the difference. She scored once in France's 4-0 win over Colombia to start the Olympics.
Should France find the back of the net, the absence of Rapinoe's creativity in midfield will be especially glaring as the United States tries to claw its way back into the match.
Prediction: France 1, United States 0
Women's Soccer: Brazil vs. Sweden
For whatever reason, Brazil's historic dominance on the pitch has never translated to the Olympics. Both the men's and women's national teams have failed to collect Olympic gold, and judging by the men's disappointing finish in the Copa America Centenario, the country's best chance to end the drought rests with the women's team.
"Brazil is specially known as the country of soccer, but men's soccer," star midfielder Marta said, per the Toronto Star's Dave Feschuk. "(The Olympics) is an opportunity to change that."
Before it can capture its first gold, Brazil will have its hands full against Sweden.
Defense has been the Swedes' calling card since Pia Sundhage took over as coach in 2012. The team has been particularly stingy since losing to Germany 4-1 in the Women's World Cup round of 16. In its 12 matches since, Sweden has allowed just one goal.
While the bulk of those fixtures came against relatively weak opposition, Sweden picked up a comprehensive 3-0 win over Japan on July 21.
The Brazilians looked good in their 3-0 victory over China on Wednesday. They had 21 total shots, 10 of which were on target. While the Chinese are no pushovers, the Swedes will pose a tougher test on the pitch.
Little will separate Brazil and Sweden, which will each pick up a point Saturday.
Prediction: Sweden 1, Brazil 1
Note: Television coverage for the 2016 Olympics is available at Sports Media Watch.
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