U.S. women

Hamm shines, leads 3-0 domination of Greece to open Olympics.

HERAKLIO, Greece (Wednesday, August 11, 2004) -- Mia Hamm was her usual spectacular self, the highlight of the United States women's 3-0 victory over Greece in the Summer Olympics Group G opener for both nations before an estimated 16,000 at Pankritio Stadium this afternoon.

Hamm assisted midfielder Shannon Boxx for an early lead and punctuated the American result with a late singular effort, the type of highlight-reel goal that places her on a stratum above mere soccer players. Meanwhile, Hamm's strike partner Abby Wambach also scored to continue the goal-a-game pace she has established this year.

"It's one step, getting our feet wet and building confidence for the next game," U.S. coach April Heinrichs said.

The U.S. next faces Brazil Saturday at 11 a.m. (ET), a match televised on CNBC. Today, Brazil edged Australia 1-0 on Marta's goal in the 36th minute.

"Anyone who has seen us play against Brazil knows that the record (16-1-2 in favor of the U.S.) is not indicative of how we compete against them," Hamm said. "We had a great one in Greece tonight who I think made their country extremely proud. Now we have to focus on Brazil and that's a huge task for us.

"The way you assure that you make the gold-medal game is winning every game and that's our focus right now. It's our job as professionals to prepare ourselves, to regenerate, re-hydrate, get some food in us and get ready for Brazil, because they are an extremely talented team. They play with so much flair and we have to be at the top of our game to play with them."

The Americans thoroughly dominated the action, not allowing Greece a shot on goal, building a 26-1 shots advantage, 10-0 on frame. Still, the Hellas had to consider a three-goal deficit a moral victory. Eight of the 10 teams advance to the quarterfinals and the Greeks are expected to be one of the two nations eliminated during group play.

Greece is in this 10-nation tournament only because it is the host nation and it is not in a league with the U.S. when considering the enormous disparity between their resources and talent pools. The Greeks played virtually their whole team in their defensive third throughout 90 minutes and did not have a creditable attack on the U.S. goal except for a 28-yard free kick that was easily blocked by the American defense.

Many of the Greek players compete or competed at U.S. colleges. "It is an honor to play against that team," Greek coach Xanthi Konstandinidou said in comments apparently directed at the Americans. "I was at the 1996 Olympics and saw the 76,000 persons there (for the gold-medal match in which the U.S. defeated China 2-1). In Greece, we play normally with 100 persons watching. You gave me and my players much motivation to be here and I believe all of women's soccer owes your team a lot. And I hope you go to the gold."

To earn the Olympic championship, the Americans will have to play better than today. While the U.S. was in total control, there were too many miscommunications, missed passes and failed opportunities. The Americans are probably well aware of this, particularly in light of 2003 Women's World Cup champion Germany's 8-0 manhandling of China, considered a medal contender, in Group F. In today's other action, Japan surprised World Cup runnerup Sweden 1-0 in Group E.

U.S. midfielders nearly scored twice early. The recipient of a beautiful chest pass from Wambach, Aly Wagner hit the top of the crossbar from 17 yards in the fifth minute. Two minutes later, Hamm's left-side corner kick was deflected to Shannon Boxx at the far post. With goalkeeper Maria Giatrakis out of position, Boxx hit the right post with a point-blank blast.

In between, midfielder Kristine Lilly drilled a shot from a close-in angle, forcing Giatrakis to save it over the crossbar.

"With their bunker, we had less space to play, but we did some good things to get around them," Lilly said. "We had a lot of chances and we need to finish them. That's just a little bit more focus and repetition."

Boxx made amends to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute with Hamm's sparkling individual effort setting the table. Hamm carried deep into the left corner, faked Greek midfielder Angeliki Lagoumtzi to the ground and sent a lateral cross through the middle of the penalty area. Wambach stepped over the ball, allowing it to roll to Boxx facing the far post, 12 yards out. Boxx pivoted and swung her left leg, driving her first touch back across the goal and into the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead.

"It's critical to get a goal early, especially when you are facing a bunker like that, so you don't get frustrated," Boxx said. "It's hard to get that first one so I'm glad I was able to do that."

In the 30th minute, Hamm tried to carry into the left side of the box, but was stripped. The ball caromed to the foot of defender Kate Markgraf who pushed forward and crossed into the face of the goal. Eight yards out, Wambach was open and had plenty of time to guide her header high over Giatrakis' dive and into the left corner for a 2-0 advantage.

Wambach has 15 goals in her last 16 international appearances. "We're happy with our performance," she said. "It's not our best performance by any stretch, but it's the first game of the Olympics and we had to get the kinks out."

In the 81st minute, it was time for Hamm to make a final statement. She collected an errant Greek touch and sped forward alone. Hamm went straight at defender Konstantina Katsaiti, sending her backpedaling out of the play, before cutting to the left which also discarded Lagoumtzi, who had come over to help. Hamm then curled a left-footer that caught the fingertips of an outstretched Giatrakis and scraped the inside of the left post before settling in the net, making it 3-0.

Hamm extended her world record to 152 goals. "We were anxious to go out there (for the first game) and Greece played with a slow tempo which kind of messes up your rhythm," she said. "But the team stayed clam, we got some goals in the first half which gave us some breathing room and the goal in the second half was big for us."

Referee: Jenny Palqvist (Sweden). Assistant referee: Emilia Parviaainen (Finland), Andi Regan (Northern Ireland). Attendance: 16,000 (estimated) at Pankritio Stadium in Heraklio, Greece. Weather: Hot, breezy, 82 degrees.