Sunday, August 17th

Men’s Water Polo

Marking the only time I’ve ever been ecstatically excited about a water polo game, the US Men’s team and its five Long Beach high school graduates is playing in the most important game of many of their careers thus far.  They beat the world’s best team, Croatia, last week, but it won’t mean anything unless they can defeat Germany tonight.  If they do, they can defy expectation and force their way into the quarterfinals; if not, they’re knocked out of competition.  Fingers and toes crossed!  It will be on some time during the USA late night block, or live online at 11pm.  USA Network (or online), LIVE, 11pm-4am. 

Monday, August 18th

Indoor Men’s Volleyball

In the final game of pool play, the US Men will face Japan.  The US team is 4-0, and is looking to advance out of pool play undefeated; they do have a berth clinched already, though.  NBC, 10am.

Beach Volleyball—Semifinals

Misty May and Kerri Walsh are one game away from the gold medal match, but they’ll have to get through Brazil first.  These two haven’t lost in 106 matches, but in what could be a bad omen, their last loss was exactly a year prior to this semifinal battle.  Still, it might take more than bad omens to stop May/Walsh.  NBC, 9-11pm.

US Women’s Water Polo—Semifinals

For the umpteenth (actually 12th) time this year, the USA national women’s team will play Australia.  They’ve met at every Olympics thus far, and are 4-5-2 against Australia so far this year, though they have won four of the last five meetings.  Still, with so much familiarity, and so deep in Olympic play, it’s bound to be an incredible match.  The winner of this game will be play later in the week for a gold medal.  Live online 11:20pm.

Tuesday, August 19th

Indoor Women’s Volleyball—Quarterfinals

Because of the strange new seeding patterns, the US team will have to face Italy, despite the fact that they were both 5-1 in pool play. The seeding system has the US and Italy playing each other in the quarterfinals despite the fact that they both finished second in their pool.  It’s a tough draw for the US Women, who will be playing the number one team in the world in Italy.  NBC, 10am-1pm.