"Since women's football was introduced as an Olympic sport in Atlanta 1996, the USA have reached every final, losing only to surprise package Norway at the Sydney Games in 2000."
The USA's finest female footballers rarely fail in an Olympic final but a 120 minute semi against Canada may leave a legacy, and they may fail to justify 90 minute favouritism against Japan, says Hannah Duncan
The women's football at London 2012 has been one of the Games' biggest successes, with bumper crowds in attendance as the tournament has progressed, really showcasing the quality of the women's game.
And Thursday's final between USA and Japan should be far from an anticlimactic finish, with a repeat of last summer's World Cup final in store. It is a match not to miss.
One year ago, the two sides' encounter went all the way to penalties, following two goals in extra-time and more than 80,000 tickets have already been sold to fans keen to see the rematch.
This time, FIFA's number one ranked side, the USA, are unsurprisingly 2.0421/20 favourites to gain revenge for their 3-1 spot-kick defeat in Frankfurt and ultimately win the gold medal, in what would be their fourth Olympic victory in five attempts.
Since women's football was introduced as an Olympic sport in Atlanta 1996, the USA have reached every final, losing only to surprise package Norway at the Sydney Games in 2000.
Reigning world champions Japan reached the final after a hard-fought 2-1 win over a good French side, which should be a confidence boost for Norio Sasaki's players.
The USA meanwhile, may have a tougher time of it at Wembley on Thursday night, after their semi-final with local rivals Canada went to extra-time, in what was a scintillating game of football.
Pia Sundhage's side were strong favourites for a comfortable win against Canada, having won each of their previous matches at London 2012, but their neighbours put in a performance worthy of reaching the final, only to be denied by a last-gasp winner after 120 minutes following a header from States' star-striker Alex Morgan.
The extra physical and mental exertion from the USA players will undoubtedly play into the hands of the Japanese, plus the knowledge that the States are beatable, having done so in last year's final in Germany, will be an extra boost.
It certainly makes the draw at 3.55n/a seem an attractive bet, especially as the Japanese are no strangers to a draw, having played out two 0-0 stalemates in the group stage against Sweden and South Africa.
But Sasaki's girls will have to cope with the formidable attacking threat the USA poses. Twenty-three-year-old Morgan has netted 29 times in 47 appearances for the Stars and Stripes, while strike partner Amy Wambach has the impressive figures of 143 goals in 187 appearances for her country.
It is certainly a close one to call, but while Japan are always capable, as they have proved in the past, of providing a shock, the Olympics is the USA's tournament and they're unlikely to relinquish their title without a very good fight.
Recommended Bet
Back the draw @ 3.55n/a
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