Brasil has once again underlined how far ahead they are from their ellow South Americans at Futsal by slaughtering Argentina by 5 goals to 0 in the gold medal play off at the South American games. In the ame to decide the bronze medal, Bolivia defeated Paraguay 4 goals to 2.

The biggest disappointment of the tournament has to be Uruguay, a team that two World Cups back finished in sixth place. The downward slide is not surprising though, if you take into account the very small player base that exists in that country.

It seems that Paraguay is once again beginning to get their act together. I remember them beatinf Brazil 2 - 1 in a wonderful game in Melbourne in 1988 in the final of the World Cup RUN by FIFUSA. That was the first time that a Brazilian National team had been defeated!

Undoubtedly Bolivia must have made very good progress to finish third.


VII South American Games Brazil 2002
Futsal Tournament

5-11/8/2002
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Futsal Schedule:

August 6
6:00 p.m. - Ecuador - Argentina 1-6
7:30 p.m. - Uruguay - Paraguay 1-5
9:00 p.m. - Brazil - Bolivia 6-1

August 7
6:00 p.m. - Ecuador - Bolivia 2-5
7:30 p.m. - Argentina - Uruguay 3-1
9:00 p.m. - Brazil - Paraguay 11-1

August 8
6:00 p.m.- Ecuador - Uruguay 4-6
7:30 p.m. - Paraguay - Bolivia 5-3
9:00 p.m. - Brazil - Argentina 2-0

August 9
6:00 p.m. - Uruguay - Bolivia 6-6
07:30 p.m. - Argentina - Paraguay 3-2
09:00 p.m. - Brazil - Ecuador 13-2

August 10
03:00 p.m. - Argentina - Bolivia 2-1
04:30 p.m. - Brazil - Uruguay 5-1
06:00 p.m. - Ecuador - Paraguay 5-8

Final Standing
1. Brazil----5-5-0-0-37--5-15
2. Argentina-5-4-0-1-14--7-12
3. Paraguay--5-3-0-2-21-23-9
4. Bolivia---5-1-1-3-16-21-4
5. Uruguay---5-1-1-3-15-23-4
6. Ecuador---5-0-0-5-14-38-0

-------------------------------------

August 11
03:30 p.m.
Third Place Match
Paraguay - Bolivia 2-4

05:00 p.m.
Final
Brazil - Argentina 5-0

2002 South American Games Futsal Tournament Winner:
BRAZIL

Final Classific
1. Brazil (gold)
2. Argentina (silver)
3. Bolivia (bronze)
4. Paraguay
5. Uruguay
6. Ecquador