NOTES

Only seven of the eight quarterfinalists are guaranteed berths in next year’s Summer Olympics in Sydney, since one spot goes automatically to the host country, Australia, which was eliminated in the first round here. That means the four quarterfinal winners will qualify for Sydney, along with the three losers that make the best showing.

In other words, any team losing 2-0, or worse, in the next two days is in danger of losing its Olympic invitation.

That is sobering news for Germany, the 1997 European champion and runner-up to Norway in the 1995 Women’s World Cup. Germany plays the United States on Thursday, and the Germans are 1-6-1 in their last eight matches against the Americans--five of the defeats coming by two goals or more.

*

Mia Hamm spent all of Tuesday’s 90-minute workout at George Mason University with an ice bag strapped to her right hamstring. A cause for concern for U.S. soccer fans?

“Just a precautionary measure,” DiCicco said. “We have some players who have some bruises and are a little beat up. At this point in the tournament, if any of them feel anything, we put some ice on it.”