wooden spoon

関塚監督率いるサッカーU23代表は，メキシコ五輪以来のメダル獲得を狙います。

European road block
In their last two appearances at the Olympics, teams from Europe have proved out to be Japan's biggest obstacle. The Japanese were defeated 3-2 by Italy at Athens 2004 before losing 2-1 to Netherlands at Beijing 2008 as they took the wooden spoon on both occasions. And as if to test their progress, the Olympic Draw for London 2012 pitted them against European champions Spain in Group D's opener on 26 July in Glasgow, with African giants Morocco and a fast-progressing Honduras awaiting them in the following fixtures.
http://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/news/newsid=1652955/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_2

wooden spoonはスポーツ競技において，英口語で「最下位に贈られる賞」のことを意味し，booby prizeとも言われています（『ジーニアス英和大辞典』大修館書店）。これはCambridge 大学の数学優等試験で末席の人に与えられる木製のスプーンから来た表現だそうです（Weblio辞書）。（Sugiuchi）