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Picture-perfect Hamm farewell

AFP, Athens
American superstar Mia Hamm was given the perfect send-off as the United States rode their luck to beat Brazil in extra-time and
win the Olympic women's football gold medal for the second time in eight years.
A 2-1 victory that did not come without a huge slice of fortune provided a fitting farewell for the 32-year-old striker, who is hanging up her boots after 17 years on the international stage.
After receiving her medal, Hamm's eyes welled up with tears as she and her team-mates blared out the national anthem before milking the applause of the delirious American fans draped in a US flag.
"I couldn't have picked a better way to go out," beamed Hamm, a key figure in the 1991 World Cup triumph and in the US team's gold medal victory in the inaugural Olympic women's final at the Atlanta Games in 1996.
"I feel honoured to be part of this group and I feel honoured to represent this country.
"It's been a wonderful journey that has let me experience a whole variety of emotions.
"It has taught me a lot about life and about the value of friendship."
In truth, Hamm's swansong on Thursday was not her best performance, but it mattered not as Abby Wambach's dramatic extra-time
header silenced the samba stars for whom striker Cristiane was outstanding.
Women's football's most recognisable star, Hamm, who scored more than 150 goals in over 250 appearances, dedicated Thursday's win to those members of the squad who didn't make the cut for Athens.
"It's not just about the players that were here," she said. "You have to remeber that there were 30 players in the pool before it was trimmed down.
"Even those who didn't come played a part by keeping everyone else on their toes."
Asked which moment stood out in a remarkable international career that began when she was just 15, Hamm replied: "I couldn't pick one,
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they're all very special."
Maintaining the traditions of the men's Brazilian team, the South Americans' dribbling skills were a joy to watch and they came close to winning the match late on when they hit the post twice with the scores tied at 1-1.
Lindsay Tarplay gave the United States a 39th minute lead with a sweetly struck 25 metre shot that gave Brazil keeper Andreia no chance.
Brazil levelled the scores 17 minutes from time when Pretinha converted the superb Cristiane's low cross.
The United States have appeared in all three Olympic finals since it was added to the Games calendar in 1996.