Twenty-two Olympic football players will spend their birthdays in Beijing. Anna Green, who is the youngest player in New Zealand’s football team, will celebrate her birthday during the Beijing Olympic Games. She will turn 18 on August 20, 2008.

Anna Green(right) and her teammate [sohu.com]

It is worth mentioning that five players in the New Zealand football team will spend their birthdays during the Games. It seems that the New Zealand Football Association will hold a grand birthday party for its players.

Pu Wei and Zhengzhi [sohu.com]

The Olympic host China is no exception. Zheng Zhi and Pu Wei, the most famous players in the Chinese men's and women's football team, will celebrate their birthday on the same day. They both will turn 28 on August 20. Besides, the female player Han Wenxia will cut her 32nd birthday cake on August 23, the same day with the US female football player Markgraf.

August 13 is a special day for Olubayo Adefemi from Nigeria, Etienne Pokong from Cameroon and Greg Draper from New Zealand.

Not only because that day will be their birthday, but also it is the day Nigeria will meet the US men's football team, Cameroon face Italy, and New Zealand meet Belgium. After the three matches, some teams will squeeze into the top 8 competitions, and others will come back to their homeland. Maybe on their birthday party the three players will make a wish – for a longer Olympic journey.