3 minute read
The Matildas will head to the 2024 Olympic Games looking to build on their outstanding performance at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Sam Kerr and co won the hearts of the nation as they made it all the way to the World Cup semi-finals before losing to England.
Now they will be looking to shine at the Olympics and returning to Australia with a medal, preferably gold, will be the aim.
However, the Matildas face an uphill battle after being drawn in a tough group and are priced at 17.00 to win gold at the Olympics.
The USA are the hot fancies at 2.75, while current World Cup holders Spain can be backed at 3.00.
Here is everything you need to know about the Matildas as they head to the Olympic Games.
Qualified nations
Twelve nations have qualified for the Olympic games and they are as follows:
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, United States, Zambia and Nigeria.
The one notable absentee from that list is England (Great Britain), who failed to make it through qualifying.
Australia squad
The Matildas were hit by a huge blow when skipper Kerr was ruled out of the Olympic games due to injury.
Even so, head coach Tony Gustavsson has still assembled a very strong 18-player squad that will be skippered by Arsenal star Steph Catley.
The squad has plenty of experience with eight players set to figure in their third Olympic Games.
They are Catley, Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Caitlin Foord, Clare Polkinghorne, Emily van Egmond and Tameka Yallop.
Four players - Cortnee Vine, Clare Hunt, Kaitlyn Torpey and Clare Wheeler - will all be making their first appearances at an Olympic Games.
Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Michelle Heyman, Teagan Micah and Kaitlyn Torpey complete the Matildas 18.
Matildas land tough group
The Matildas have managed to avoid host nation France and World Cup winners Spain, but still have work to do to get through their group.
They will compete in Pool B, with the USA, who can be backed at 1.33 to win the Pool, as well as Germany, who are 5.50 to top the group.
The Matildas can be backed at 7.00, with 26.00 outsiders Zambia completing the pool.
The USA and Germany both failed to deliver at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and will be keen to bounce back at the Olympics.
Germany can be backed at 13.00 to go on and win the gold medal at the Olympic Games.
Australia schedule
The Matildas get their campaign underway when they take on Germany at the Stade de Marseille at 03:00 (AEST). on 26th July.
They will then play Zambia at the Stade de Nice on 29th July with same kick-off time.
The Matildas will return to the Stade de Marseille for the final game of the Pool, which will be against the USA on 1st August.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals, along with the two best teams that finished third in their groups.
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