SPORT The Minsk Times Thursday, August 28, 2008 11 REUTERS Andrey Kravchenko Olympic epic: REUTERS Inna Zhukova sensations and oft en, world champions fail rusian kayak four — Roman USA aft er an unsteady start. to live up to expectations at Petrushenko, Alexey Abal- Inna Zhukova’s silver was the Olympics. Oksana had masov, Artur Litvinchuk and also a pleasant surprise. She trouble during the qualifi ca- Vadim Makhnev — were reached the fi nals in 4th po- tion round but, in the fi nals, next to take to the water, just sition and few believed that achievements recaptured the lead from her a couple of minutes aft er the she would defeat her rivals fi rst attempt. Yipsi Moreno Bogdanovichs’ victorious Olga Kapranova, Yevgenia Belarusian Olympians achieve their greatest of Cuba managed to out- race. Of course, their coun- Kanaeva of Russia and Anna perform her during the fi ft h try mates’ success inspired Bessonova of Ukraine. How- independent success to date at summer Games attempt but Menkova came the Belarusian kayak four, ever, she performed faultless- back to throw her hammer who performed confi dently ly to take second place, while By Yuri Karpenko Games, Belarusian athletes in the snatch, the clean and even further. throughout, not leaving their her rivals battled nerves. earned 15 medals. jerk and in the double event Belarusian canoe and opponents a single chance. At the end of the Olym- Belarus has fi nished Th e second half of the — an outstanding result. kayak rowers created one of Th e next day, Makhnev pics, the Belarusian squad 16th at the Beijing Games, Games brought the greatest Belarus’ throwers reit- the greatest sensations, win- and Petrushenko also took claimed two more bronzes: winning 19 medals in all: number of medals, with the erated their status as world ning two fi nals out of six bronze in the kayak two. freestyle wrestler Murad four gold, fi ve silver and longed-for fi rst gold taken leaders, claiming six medals, in the 1,000m race. Canoe Th e closing days of the Gaidarov (74kg) and the ten bronze. Th is beats the by 19-year-old weightlift er one of them gold. Hammer- pair Alexander and Andrey Olympics brought Belarus rhythmic gymnastic team — country’s previous best Andrei Aryamnov (un- thrower Oksana Menkova Bogdanovich kept a steady two more silver medals. For Glafi ra Martinovich, Ksenia achievement — at Sydney’s der 105kg). Th is one of the set a new Olympic record pace in third position dur- the fi rst time, 22-year-old Sankovich, Alesya Babush- Olympics in 2000 — when youngest athletes on the Be- — 76.34m — grabbing ing most of the rowing, fol- Andrey Kravchenko from kina, Anastasia Ivankova, it claimed 17 medals: three larusian team created a real gold. Th e Belarusian athlete lowing Germany until a Gomel took part; he stood Alina Tumilovich and Zina- gold, three silver and eleven stir with his confi dent defeat reached the Olympics as couple of metres before the his ground in the compli- ida Lunina. Th is gave Bela- bronze. In each of the At- of favourites and the set- the existing world record- fi nish. Th ey then pushed cated decathlon, fi nishing rus’ participation a victori- lanta 1996 and Athens 2004 ting of three world records holder of the season but, through to take silver. Bela- behind Bryan Clay of the ous end. Pre-qualif ication friendly match Th e visiting team’s substi- Before qualifi cation rounds for 2010 tutions enabled them to win World Football Championship, more space on the fi eld and gave fresh verve to their at- Belarus’ national football team plays tack. Moscow goal-keeper friendly match against Argentina Zhevnov made a couple of good saves, showing his high- By Yuri Kovalev huge experience in playing for ly professional goal-keeping their national team and each skills. Th e match ended with a Belarusian footballers holds numerous titles and predictable 0:0 draw. have faced formidable rivals awards. However, Lionel Mes- Th e head coach of the before: such as Holland and si (from Barcelona, Spain) was Belarusian national squad, Italy. Th ey always view these obliged to go to the Games Bernd Stange, noted at the matches as good practice. — at FIFA’s insistence. aft er-match press conference Dynamo stadium hosted the Belarus put together a that the result didn’t inspire event this time, with the Latin near optimal squad for the him with euphoria: “Our Be- footballers displaying their match, led by Alexander Hleb larusian football players have usual style and manners. Th e and Vitaly Kutuzov. One of done their best in this match main Argentinean team was at the best players of the na- against one of the strongest the Olympic Games in Beijing tional championship — Oleg teams in the world but they (beating Nigeria in the fi nals) Strakhanovich — played for did not win. Our players tried but several famous Argentine the Belarusian national team REUTERS to attack but never managed footballers were available to for the fi rst time. Many of the Argentina’s Carlos Tevez is pursued by Belarus’ Anton Putilo during their friendly match to score. Friendly matches come to Minsk: Champions Belarusian players had faced In the fi rst half of the fi rst half did they push harder. he made a valiant kick into — especially those ending in League winner, Manchester Argentina before with their match, there were no near Tevez kicked the ball straight the goal. However, Juan Pa- draws — do not give points United forward Carlos Tevez, clubs and had a good idea of goals. Th e Argentines had at Belarusian goal-keeper Yuri blo Carrizo managed to save to the team’s credit. Neverthe- Real Madrid defenseman Argentina’s manner of play. possession of the ball for most Zhevnov and Denis then sent the ball. Argentina’s defence less, the match indicates that Gabriel Heinze and Inter Mi- Th e match was to clarify a of the fi rst half, using short the ball into the bar. was confi dent, with so many we have a good team, able to lan halfb acks Javier Zanetti great deal just before the start and medium-length passes In the second half, Belarus’ Inter players (Portuguese José confi dently oppose Ukraine in and Esteban Cambiasso — a of the 2010 World Champion- but didn’t take any real shots Vitaly Bulyga attempted to Mourinho who coaches the the opening WC-2010 qualifi - star-fi lled squad. Each boasts ship. at goal. Only at the end of the score; during the 49th minute, Italian champions attended). cation match.”