Italy claim Olympic medal

Italy secured their first Olympic football medal since 1936 as their men's side beat Iraq 1-0 to secure the bronze in Thessaloniki.

Gilardino goal
It took only eight minutes for Parma FC's Alberto Gilardino, the inspiration behind the UEFA European Under-21 Championship victory that had taken Italy to Greece, to score the winner. AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo cut back from the byline and chipped for the striker to head in.

Iraqi chances
In windy conditions Iraq, who began the tournament by beating Portugal 4-2, pressed for an equalise and twice hit the crossbar after corners. On the hour mark Pirlo curled a free-kick just off target, and set up Gilardino to shoot over, but the single goal proved enough.

'Historic achievement'
Having seen his team emulate their compatriots achievements in winning bronze in 1928 - eight years before claiming gold - Italy coach Claudio Gentile admitted: "It was perhaps not the most beautiful game but it a historic achievement nevertheless."

Saturday final
The match had been played in a sombre atmosphere and both sides wore black armbands due to the killing of an Italian journalist in Iraq on Thursday. Argentina meet Paraguay in the final in Athens on Saturday morning. In the women's tournament yesterday Germany beat Sweden to win bronze, while the United States claimed gold after overcoming Brazil.