by Stefano Blin
SALONIKA, Greece, Aug 27 (AFP) - Italy denied Iraq their first Olympic medal for 44 years by winning the men's football third place match 1-0 here Friday, but in truth nobody really cared.
A game that was supposed to have been a celebration of football and freedom was overshadowed by the death of Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, executed by an Islamic group in Baghdad on Thursday.
Three days ago his captors had threatened to kill him within 48 hours unless Italy withdrew its 3,000 troops from war-ravaged Iraq.
The general belief in Italy was that his kidnappers would react favourably to televised pleas made by Baldoni's son and daughter, but their appeal was to no avail.
Alberto Gilardino scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute to secure the bronze medal.
The players' celebrations were understandably muted and in a symbolic gesture, Gilardino fell to his knees, arched his back and pointed both fingers up to the sky.
Only the Italy team wore black armbands, but Iraqi coach Adnan Hamad Majeed dismissed claims that his team had refused to wear them.
"We send our condolences to his (Baldoni's) family and to the Italian people and we have expressed this in many ways," he said.
"But let's not forget that our country has been destroyed and is under occupation.
"Nobody asked us to wear black armbands, not FIFA, nor the Italian football federation, otherwise we would have been happy to.
"We came here in peace and we share the feelings of our Italian friends."
Italy coach Claudio Gentile admitted it was difficult to motivate his players given the events of the previous day.
"It wasn't easy to prepare ourselves because psychologically we were not in the best condition," said the former Italian international defender.
"But we really wanted to win and we dedicate this bronze medal to Baldoni and his family. We are very happy to win but we are in no mood to celebrate."
The match at the Kaftanzoglio stadium was a sombre affair played in front of a crowd of around 5,000 people.
There was no minute silence however, as it goes against the protocol of the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) are uncomfortable with participants making political gestures at the Games.
The two teams lined up side by side before kick-off while the national anthems were played, and Iraqi captain Abdul Wahab Abu Al Hail presented his Italian counterpart Andrea Pirlo with a big bouquet of white flowers.
When the game got underway, Italy settled quickly and a purposeful run from Pirlo produced an early opening goal.
The AC Milan midfielder weaved his way to the byline and his inviting cross was headed home by Parma striker Gilardino, Serie A's second highest goalscorer last season.
Iraq striker Razzaq Farhan came close to levelling the score in the 16th minute when his toe-poked shot was tipped round the post by Ivan Pelizzoli.
Seconds later, Pelizzoli rescued Italy for a second time, palming Farhan's looping header onto the crossbar.
Farhan went close again just after half-time, his low drive from the edge of the penalty box blocked by Pelizzoli's outstretched boot.
Gilardino should have doubled his tally in the 68th minute, but after racing clear of the Iraqi defence his overhit lob cleared the crossbar
Prior to the match, FIFA president Sepp Blatter defended the decision for game to go ahead, saying politics and sport should be kept apart.
"It's very sad and we express all our thoughts of condolence to the victim's families, but we have to appeal to football now," he said.
"It is not for show, it is for life, and the Olympics is part of life. It is the message of football and the Olympic Games."
A bronze medal for Italy was their first success in football at the Olympics since 1936 when they took gold in Berlin.
Iraq's only Olympic medal was won by weightlifter Abdul Wahid Aziz in Rome in 1960.