There are more arch rivals in sports than in any other facet of HUMAN existence on this Earth….and to a Sportsphile….that’s a good thing.”…..as seen in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Men’s Volleyball Medal Qualifying Match was between Brazil vs Argentina….typically guaranteeing a fierce battle….whether it be futbol….basketball…. volleyball….no matter….as those two country’s teams just flat out don’t like each other. Brazil and Argentina have faced off on many occasions in many sporting events of huge importance to virtually all folks in their respective countries. This rivalry between Brazil and Argentina goes way back….and is deep seeded.
Olympics – 1984 – Los Angeles Olympics – Highlights Of Men’s Volleyball – USA Vs Brazil – Game 1 Of Medal Qualifying Match
Sky dropped the boys out front of the Long Beach Arena around 3:30 pm….just thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the match. The first thing that Sky did was to sashay around the block….hoping that BD and/or Prince could target a scalper. Scalper targeting is one of the many key tools in going to a live sporting event needing tickets…. and just another subject that BD’s teachings had mentored well with Prince over the years. Prince had become a maestro in his own right by this point in their relationship. Bone Daddy was the first to spot one who was standing on the first corner of the main avenue leading to the venue. He got out and made the deal really quickly….cuz the scalper dude was simply doubling his money on the box office ticket price of $10/ticket. In the universe of scalping at any popular event….that was a fairly normal price….but the reason BD made the deal quickly was cuz the scalper had three seats in a row and the boys were in….with 10 minutes to spare before the match began. Los Tres Amigos had plenty of time to take a leak….grab some peanuts and soda….and join the rowdies from Brazil and Argentina in the stands. The boys were right in the middle of the Brazilian fans….so you know who they immediately started rooting for….you got it….Argentina.
Olympics – 1984 – Los Angeles Games – Men’s Volleyball Medal Round Qualifying – USA Vs Brazil – Gme 4 DOG ASIDE: Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire….cuz the fans of Latin teams can get pretty excited when it comes to their teams….especially if their team happens to be losing….cuz I know about these things….I’ve got Latin blood running through my veins. One of the great things about sports is that there are unwritten rules that are in play when facing opposing fans….so as long as you remain within the confines of those rules….you can yell and cheer as much as you want….even razz and be obnoxious ….as long as you don’t cross the unwritten line of respect. The fact of the matter is that there is a strange bond between good strong vociferous ardent fans of opposing teams facing each other….kinda like what goes on between the players….just play within the rules….then shake hands….and go have a beer together.
Olympics – 1984 – Los Angeles Games – Men’s Volleyball Highlights – Brazil Vs USA – Prelim Round
The match turned out to be incredible….as it went 5 games….with the last 2 games requiring extra points to win the match….especially in the 5th and final game….where Brazil won 27 – 25. It was truly awesome volleyball….it was fast….it was physical….it was fun to watch. You can rest assured in this match….if either team had a chance to spike a power ball into the chops of any of the opposing player….it was done….over and over again….for there were more than a few face plants with a spike in this match. The whole match gave any fan the impression that the guys spiking were taking sniper shots at the opposition.
Volleyball is a game with the same type of required skills sets that basketball requires of their world class athletes. Let me say this….virtually all Olympic volleyball players are world class athletes. These volleyball athletes need the skills sets of strength….power….speed….coordination….jumping ability….eye to hand coordination…. windows of opportunity vision….endurance…need I go on or does this lil ole Chiweenie know her stuff….cuz that’s what 112 years with BD will get you.
Olympics – 1984 – Los Angeles Games – Men’s Volleyball Semi-Finals Game 1 – USA Vs Canada Anyway, Brazil finally won the hard fought match….while the three (3) Argentina fans from Texas sitting in the middle of the Brazilians….were fervently in the match all the way to the end….as every participant at this Olympic venue was totally spent after cheering from their favorite team at the end of this one. To say everyone got their money’s worth just couldn’t provide proper description to this event….as the “rocket run turned mission from God”….had provided Bone Daddy with a day chocked full of another “never before experienced live event during my big ole Sportphile’s life”. Seeing his first live field hockey game wherein a world class field hockey team dismantled their opponent right before his eyes….after which he and his lil band of merry Olympic fans….were able to also see an unbelievably exciting volleyball match fervently played by two world class teams….who obviously….as evidenced many times over throughout the match….”did not like each other one little bit”….kinda like the Brazilian fans didn’t like Los Tres Amigos sitting right in the middle of their contingency while screaming like crazy for the Argentina side. I gotta tell you though….my boys did have to eat some serious humble pie as served up by the Brazilian fans around them at the end of the match….but that’s the price you pay for cheering for a loser.
Olympics – 1984 – Los Angeles Games – Men’s Volleyball Bronze Medal Game – Argentina Vs South Korea In Game 4
It was truly the conclusion to a really great day….a day when each of the boys from Texas had been rode hard and put up wet….as they were beginning to feel the effects and demands of the past four (4) days at the Olympic Games of Los Angeles. It was dinner and bed that was in order for all….as tomorrow’s mission was impending and daunting.
Olympics – 1984 & 1988 – L A Games & Seoul Games – Mens Volleyball Special Tribute – The USA Back To Back Gold Medal Winning Team
