Olympics Womens Soccer Game Thread: Bronze Medal Match, France vs. Canada, 5a

Who's up for this match? No, I mean really, who is up? Because it's 5am PDT when this game kicks off (the USA / Japan gold medal game kicks off at 11.45a), so you're going to have to be up early if you want to be able to see Laure Boulleau's last game this Olympics.

France has not lost this Olympics when Laure Boulleau has played (she's coming in off the bench, due to what I'm sure are coaches' calls rooted in pure jealousy). They're a mediocre 2-2 when Laure hasn't played. All the more reason to get Boulleau in the game today, especially facing a pissed-off Canadian team reeling from its heartbreaking loss vs. the US. Let's go, Laure!

Post-Game Thread: Japan 2, France 1 (Womens Soccer)

Alas, the Olympics are over the Olympics won't include a gold or silver medal for Laure Boulleau, following today's 2-1 defeat at the hand of the Japanese. To be truthful, Laure didn't play. But we are still sad, just as she appears above.

Laure's next game is the bronze medal game on August 9 at 5a PT, versus Canada, which just lost in a heartbreaker.

Oh, and Canada is up on Team USA 1-0 in the 36th minute of play. Go USA!

UPDATE 1:37p: Wambach scores in the 80th minute on a penalty to tie it at 3. To extra time we go!

UPDATE 2:20p: Alex Morgan scores! 4-3 USA final.

photo swiped from here

Olympics Womens Soccer Game Thread: France vs. Japan (9a)

Sure, Team USA takes on Canada in the other semifinal (starts at 11:45a PT), but this one is the one I will be watching: France vs. (World Cup 2011 winner) Japan.

Go, Laure!

photos: GQ Magazine (French Edition); MaxPPP / Le Moustic Production. The GQ photo is accompanied by this copy (google translated): "We will not lie to you. Boulleau Laure, 25, has a presence in more magazines than her looks particularly advantageous performance in the blue shirt. And for good reason Parisian left behind is only successor. Still. The key of this glam & sexy pretty blonde is also involved in women's football media outbreak. Meanwhile better. His time will come, inevitably: Sonia Bompastor, present incumbent, is 32 years old. The experience of epic blue (qualified for the semi finals of the Olympic tournament), even without playing, it will sooner or later in his favor. Patience."

Post-Game Thread: Thar' She Boulleaus (Olympic Soccer)

Forgot to post the Game Thread on this one this morning, but Laure Boulleau and her French team advanced in Olympic soccer by beating Sweden today, 2-1.

Remember, last time these two teams met, in the Women's World Cup 2011, Sweden came out on top. Take a look at what that means, by the way; not such a bad thing in my book. But Les Bleues move on to face Japan on Monday, with today's hard-fought victory.

Laure Boulleau did not play today, so today's picture is one of Laure looking longingly from the side. Sigh.

(Oh, and the US beat New Zealand, so it looks like we'll play Canada in the other semifinals; Canada is up 2-0 on Great Britain right now.)

Womens Soccer GameThread: France vs. Colombia (9:15a PT)

SoSG dream girl Laure Boulleau (who didn't play in France's last match against Korea) takes the field for the last game in Group G First Round play. Colombia hasn't scored a goal this Olympics, so hopefully Laure and friends can get a decisive win and advance to the quarterfinals August 3. Gamecast here.

Go, Laure!

Women's Olympic Soccer GameThread: France vs. Korea, 11.45a

France tries to get some points on the board in today's match against Korea, who won its first Group G game against Colombia 2-0. France fell to the US, 4-2.

Meanwhile, we're falling for Laure Boulleau! Go, France!

Bringing Back Boulleau

We have Mr. F to thank for reminding me about the return of SoSG's favorite French girlfriend, Laure Boulleau.

Laure, an obsession here at SoSG Headquarters, had been an obsession for us during the 2011 Women's World Cup. Alas, Laure had fallen a little Boulleau the radar of late.

But here come the 2012 Olympic Games (complete with potential strikes!), which means here comes Women's Soccer! And Laure is back in the news!

Hooray!

Yesterday, France took a 2-0 lead on the US by the 14th minute before the US stormed back to tie the game before halftime and score two more goals after half for the 4-2 win. Boulleau started, but did not score.

The US now leads Group G along with Korea, with all four teams having played one game. France's next game is against Korea at 7.45p London Time on Saturday, July 28. We'll be ready!

One More Laure Boulleau Video

From Nike Football France.

It's Been A While Since We've Posted On Laure Boulleau

So here's a slideshow, for your weekend viewing.

Women's World Cup Final Game Thread: USA vs. Japan, 11.45a

Here it is, the 2011 Women's World Cup Final, featuring our own awe-inspiring USA team vs. Japan. This intrepid Son attempted some investigative reporting trying to unearth the Laure Boulleau equivalent on the Japanese national team, but frankly there was no Laure Boulleau equivalent. They do have a Karina (Maruyama), but she's no SoSG karina. IMHO I'd have to go with forward Mana Iwabuchi:

But then, of course, who am I to judge individuals. Especially with pictures like this out there:

But enough distractions. All of our attention is on our awesome Team USA (in sooooooo many ways). Go USA!

Women's World Cup Consolation Game Thread: France vs. Sweden, 8:30a

Another excuse to watch SoSG crush Laure Boulleau! I'm in!

Except, France IS playing the Swedish national women's team. Wow. So many umlauts! So many choices! But I think I'd have to go with Josefine Öqvist:

Let me say, this is a consolation match to watch. And I'd like to offer help with the consoling.

More Laure: Continuing To Boulleau Your Mind

Everyone liked the Laure video yesterday, so here's another one. Witness how cute Laure Boulleau's laugh is (0:47, among other places)! And that's when I don't even know what she's saying!

Your Daily Dose of Laure: Look Out, Boulleau

Man, oh, man. When do we play France again?

Women's World Cup Post-Game Thread: Weep For Laure Boulleau

"I took the blows, I have bruises everywhere."

USA 3, FRANCE 1

I'm happy for the US and all (congratulations on advancing to the Women's World Cup Finals!). But I'm really feeling bad for Laure Boulleau. I would expect she'd need comforting right now, so I am happy to offer my services. And I'll learn French.

As another commenter in that forum remarked, "La petite Laure est très sympa".

Women's World Cup Game Thread: US vs. France, 9a

Fresh off a death-defying escape vs. Brazil in the quarterfinals, the US team goes on to face France, who knocked off England last round (also in PKs). Let's go storm that Bastille, ladies.

Gamecast here.

UPDATE (8:33a): Here's Laure Boulleau of the French team, to get you all excited. For the match, that is.