Great Britain vs Brazil: Olympic Hosts Will Be Outclassed by Superior Brazilians

For the first time since 1960, fans of the British men's national soccer team will be able to watch their club compete in the Olympic Games. But if the outcome of Friday's friendly against Brazil is going to be any indication, the soccer tournament in London will likely end the same way that most recent international competitions have for the UK...in disappointment.

While most of the publicity surrounding the British side has focused on the inability of event organizers to sell tickets (via Reuters) and the omission of 37-year-old David Beckham from the British Olympic team, a more talented Brazilian team has its focus set squarely on winning their first Olympic gold medal, a quest that begins with Friday's friendly against the Olympic hosts.

The Olympics are the only significant international tournament that the Brazilians have never won. Unlike many other nations, Brazil will send its best and brightest to the London Games, including a number of players who are expected to represent Brazil in the 2014 World Cup, where it will be their turn to play hosts.

The Brazilians bring a trio of overage players to the Olympics that play at the highest level in soccer leagues across the globe, whether it be Serie A in Italy (AC Milan defender Thiago Silva), the Primeira Liga in Portugal (FC Porto striker Hulk) or La Liga in Spain (Real Madrid defender Marcelo).

Yes, you read that right. The Brazilians have a striker named Hulk. No, he's not green.

In fact, a number of prominent Brazilian stars such as Chelsea defender David Luiz and Barcelona right back Daniel Alves were left off of what should be a loaded Brazilian side by coach Mano Menezes, as were past stars such as Kaka, Robinho and Ronaldinho.

Meanwhile, the Brazilians also have no shortage of young talent on their Olympic soccer team, including Neymar, Paulo Henrique Ganso and Alexandre Pato, who will not only be on a quest for Olympic glory but will also gain valuable international experience in advance of the 2014 World Cup.

On the other hand, the British side isn't completely devoid of talent, with overage players Craig Bellamy of Liverpool, Micah Richards of Manchester City and captain Ryan Giggs of Manchester United anchoring the team.

However, the simple fact that the omission of an over-the-hill Beckham could be in any way seen as glaring is a testament to the talent gap between the two teams, and in all likelihood that gap will be on full display Friday evening.

Granted, it's possible that the Brits could catch the Brazilians flat-footed and give their fans something to cheer about, even though a victory in the friendly would be little more than a moral one.

It's much more probable though that a superior Brazilian side will steamroll this British club, demonstrating for all the world to see that they are prepared to bring their surprising drought at the Olympic Games to an end in London.

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