Beijing: The Olympic men's football competition, which kicks off Thursday under a pall of legal action, shapes as a South American extravaganza featuring Argentina and Brazil - but not in the final.
As football celebrates 100 years as an Olympic sport, the South American powerhouses are drawn to meet in the semi-finals, if both win their group and quarter-final matches, leaving the other finals berths wide open.
The Netherlands have the strongest European claim ahead of Italy, and the United States also command respect in the 16-nation tournament, but none holds the same aura as defending champions Argentina and their neighbours Brazil.
Less than 48-hours before their opening matches, however, the South Americans were still in the dark about their line-ups
European clubs Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke are fighting to keep their young stars - Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Diego and Rafinha - out of the Games which clash with their own season.
But, even if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decides in favour of the clubs in a decision due on Wednesday, the South Americans have an ability to draw on a seemingly endless assembly line of young talent.
While the under-23 age restriction at the Olympics may have weakened many countries, the strength of the Argentinian and Brazilian sides lies with their youthful prodigies.
Even if Messi is ruled out, Argentina's squad includes Boca star Juan Roman Riquelme, Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano from Liverpool.
Confirmed for Brazil are Manchester United's Anderson, Alexandre Pato of AC Milan, Real Madrid back Marcelo and among the three permitted senior players is Ronaldinho.
Other stars on show are Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Royston Drenthe (Real Madrid) and Roy Makaay (Feyenoord) in the Netherlands squad.
Former Fulham player Brian McBride, 36 comes out of retirement to lead the USA which also includes Jozy Altidor (Villarreal) and teenager Freddy Adu (Benfica).
Italy, who won the gold in Berlin a distant 72 years ago, have Tommaso Rocchi and Lorenzo De Silvestri from Lazio as well as Ignazio Abate from AC Milan.
Argentina, who beat Paraguay 1-0 in the Athens final four years ago, face potential surprise package Ivory Coast first up in a pool which also includes Serbia, who have performed well at Under-21 level, and Australia.
Brazil - still searching for a first Olympic gold medal to go with their record five World Cups - should easily top their pool in Shenyang where they open against Belgium while China play New Zealand.
The Netherlands and the United States are both in Pool B where the European Under-21 champions start against Nigeria in Tianjin while the USA face Japan.
In Group D, Korea and Cameroon who play each other in their opening match both fancy themselves as wildcards capable of upsetting Italy, whose first game is against Honduras.
First round draw, August 7:
Group A (at Shanghai): Australia v Serbia (0900 GMT), Ivory Coast v Argentina (1145 GMT)
Group B (at Tianjin): Japan v USA (0900 GMT), Netherlands v Nigeria (1145 GMT)
Group C (at Shenyang): Brazil v Belgium (0900 GMT), China v New Zealand (1145 GMT)
Group D (at Qinhuangdao): Honduras v Italy (0900 GMT), Korea v Cameroon (1145 GMT)
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