With the injury to American star forward Abby Wambach the race for the 2008 Oympic Womens soccer gold medal is wide open. In tournaments of the past, only a very few teams were contenders. The US squad reached the final in each of the three Olympic Games, only once failing to bring home gold. Now, however, the opposition is more legitimate and varied than ever. Here's a look at how the teams stack up:
1. Germany
The two-time Women's World Cup winners have never claimed Olympic gold, so the sterling squad led by coach Sylvia Neid plans to make the Games a priority. Germany has the tools and the execution to claim the title. Neid has also presided over a relatively strife-free transitional period, with legendary players such as goalkeeper Silke Rottenburg retiring from international play. That leaves the door open for Nadine Angerer to man the top spot without looking over her shoulder.
Key players: Brigit Prinz is arguably the world's best female soccer player, strong, skilled and deadly in front of the goal. She shines with the strong supporting cast around her, such as Kerstin Garefrakes and Simone Laudehr.
2. Brazil
Brazil has been knocking on the door of the world's top titles for some time, but has yet to claim Olympic gold or a World Cup. At times, a lack of cohesion or game experience at the top level costs the squad. Marta, the supremely creative and gifted midfielder, is no longer simply an amazing prodigy, but can perhaps be more of an impact on the squad now as a true leader.
Key players: Marta is a given, but Cristiane is a true force in the attack, opening up spaces for both runs and shots from distance. She has the skill to hold the ball and craft chances for her team going forward.
3. U.S.
The US has suddenly become a bit of a mystery. Without the injured Abby Wambach, the squad's attack will likely be different, but no one is sure how much. The Americans can't be encouraged after it failed to score in a recent scrimmage against China. Still, the defense held strong, and that could be what buys the Americans time to figure how to score without Wambach.
Key players: Christie Rampone's leadership on defense will be needed more than ever. At least one of the young guns on the team roster -- Lauren Cheney, Amy Rodriguez or Tobin Heath, has to bring a big spark to Games to propel teammates and fans to have faith in the new generation.
4. North Korea
Probably no debutante at the Olympics has more illusions of stealing away the gold medal than the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. After all, the squad already has a U-20 World Cup title and also did quite well at the 2007 World Cup. The North Koreans combine relentless running with a surprisingly effective technical edge and a gritty willingness to mix it up physically with any team.
Key players: Ri and Ri are a dangerous attack tandem. Ri Un-Suk and Ri Kum-Suk work well together and create opportunities for goals.
5. Norway
The only team other than the US to ever claim Olympic gold, the Norwegians have had a slump since 2000, but only in comparison to the previous high standard the team had already set. Now that a restructuring period seems to be over, the Norwegians seem to be on the rise, with recent good results over Germany in Nordic Cup competition. The Norwegians have traditionally played a very classic style of soccer marked by nearly flawless execution and a cool, calm fighting mentality that wore down lesser opponents.
Key players: Lene Mykjaland could have a breakout tournament. Solveig Gulbrandsen is a link to the squad's glorious past, because she was on the team that claimed Olympic gold in 2000.
6. China
The Steel Roses, surprisingly, have fallen back from being one of the top threats in the women's soccer world. Hosting the tournament might boost their fortunes slightly, but it didn't provide a huge advantage in the Women's World Cup only a year ago, where China was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Norway. The team looked to build on the talent of young striker Ma Xiaoxu, but she was injured in a scrimmage match versus the US and is expected to miss the Olympics. China's women still retain impressive technical skills and team cohesion, but the pressure to perform well in front of demanding home fans seems to wear on the psyche of the players. A good start could provide valuable momentum.
Key players: Forwards Han Duan and Xu Yuan link up well, if either gets hot this tournament, China could reverse its soccer fortunes completely.
7. Sweden
Sweden has traditionally been the feisty little squad others dreaded playing. Never saddled with too many expectations, the Swedes played the role of upstart underdogs to perfection, bonding with kitschy details like their pigtailed braided hairdos. Now that famous team morale has endured some strains, because the squad is in the throes of a generational transition. Longtime stalwarts like Hanna Ljungberg are still hanging on. But Ljungberg has been dogged by injuries and is a shadow of her former self. If Sweden is to reclaim its fighting spirit, the youngsters of the squad likely lead the way.
Key players: Lotta Schelin's star is on the rise and the forward could have a breakout tournament. Hedvig Lindahl is the young goalkeeper in the nets who could play a crucial role as the team's anchor.
8. Canada
Though the Canadians arrive to their first Olympic tournament, they do so with a high sense of expectation that is generally justified. After all, they have played the world's No. 1 team, the US, close in a number of recent matches. If anything, the squad tends to fixate on the US a bit, overlooking other opponents and playing unfocused soccer at times. Yet the Canadians have their own version of Abby Wambach, Christine Sinclair, ready to prove that Canadian soccer isn't playing second fiddle to the Americans any more. A big win in a big tournament would go a long way towards proving that.
Key players: Kara Lang is one of the most versatile players on the team, keeping opponents guessing as to whether she'll unleash a shot on goal or an incisive pass. Erin McLeod is the type of goalkeeper who can go on a run and nearly single-handedly propel her team to advance in a tournament.
9. Japan
Japan's strength is in the precision of its teamwork, especially the execution of a crafty offside trap that stymies many opponents. Its organization is impeccable and the team's ability to close down attacks are commendable. What the team clearly lacks is much creativity going forward, despite attempts to infuse the game with more Brazilian-style imagination. Japan is generally more successful when the squad as a whole moves into the attack, rather than relying on the individual brilliance of just a few stars.
Key players: Veteran No. 10 Homare Sawa is still pulling a lot of the strings for the team in midfield. Eriko Arikawa is also an experienced forward in the attack for Japan.
10. Nigeria
The Super Falcons are the only team from Africa participating in the tournament, yet the squad's shortcomings are exposed again and again when they meet the world's topsides. The Nigerians are fast and athletic, but skilled teams have been able to blunt those talents fairly easily with precise possession play. Nigeria has to bring something new to the table if it expects to threaten the top contenders.
Key players: Defender Faith Ikidi has played club soccer for years abroad against some of the world's best, which should give her an edge in the tournament. Cynthia Uwak is a forward with speed to burn on counterattack chances.
11. Argentina
A newbie on the women's soccer Olympic scene, Argentina is looking to prove they belong, so that means avoiding results like the 11-0 spanking Germany laid on them at the 2007 Women's World Cup. Recent results, like finishing ahead of Brazil in qualifying, are encouraging. While the men's team might be disappointed with anything less than defending the gold medal, the women would be thrilled to advance out of the group stage.
Key players: Fabiana Vallejos is a midfielder who can create chances for her squad, though she can get flustered with tight marking. Eva Gonzalez might be only 20, but she's a rock for the squad on defense.
12. New Zealand
If ever a team looked on paper like it was there just to make the full number of Olympic teams, it would be New Zealand. The island nation had an easy qualification due to Australia competing in the Asia bracket instead of Oceania. Still, New Zealand went down fighting in a 1-0 loss to China in an Olympic warm-up a respectable result that indicates the squad has worked hard to contend, or at least, keep defeat at a respectable margin.
Key players: Hayley Moorwood is a midfielder who can join the attack and isn't afraid to take a crack on goal. She is club teammates with forward Emma Kete, who can also put the ball in the net.
With Germany, Brazil and North Korea all strong contenders, Group F is fatal, or the classic Group of Death that could weed out a pretournament favorite. Yet each group has solid squads. Now that the US is missing its leading goal scorer, other teams could see a chink in the armor of the Americans. That will only add fuel to their dreams of pushing aside the No.1-ranked team to claim gold.