Great Britain Olympic Team
Best Performance
Winners - 1908, 1912
Team GB have twice won gold at the Olympics under
the footballing umbrella, in 1908 and 1912 respectively.
Aptly resulting in a hundred year gap or wait if
you will, at participating for a modest chance to be amongst the medals again
for Great Britain, who appear for the first time since 1960.
Since the feats of 1908 and 1912, Team GB's
involvement and progression in the competition has been sporadic and somewhat
yo-yo'ed.
Withdrawing in 1924 and 28, Great Britain did
reach the quarter finals on two occasions in 1936 and 1956, while their best
placed finish was attributed in 1948 in the form of a fourth place finish with
Matt Busby at the helm.
However, from 1964 to 1972, under Charles Hughes Great
Britain did not qualify, thereafter from 1976 to 2008 the United Kingdom
simply, did not enter.
I predict Team GB have a chance of making the
Quarter finals, albeit in a tough group.
Thereafter, I feel the squads lack of depth and
out and out goalscorers will show, more than a little bit of luck will be
required.
As an Englishman, ever the optimist.
Fifa World Ranking
England - 4th, Wales - 38th
With regards to England’s respective world
ranking accumulated by footballs governing body FIFA; after a better showing in
the European Championships this year under Roy Hodgson, in comparison to the
world cup underachievement of 2010 in South Africa.
England have been rewarded with a dubious 4th
place world ranking, ahead of the likes of Portugal, Argentina, Italy,
Netherlands and of course Brazil.
In contrast, Wales have struggled in recent
years, plummeting down the rankings in to an all time low of 112 in the world.
However they have recovered and progressively now
stand at 38.
Manager
Stuart Pearce - The iconic former England defender,
capped almost 80 times for his country, fondly nicknamed ‘Psycho’ for his
exploits as a player, with spells at Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, West Ham and
finally Man City, where he finished his career in 2002 and began his route into
management under Kevin Keegan. In 2005 he was promoted to head coach at City,
however by May 2007 he was deemed surplus to requirements by failing to improve
and progress the squad further up the Premier League pyramid.
Despite this, he was touted as a potential successor to then
England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, during his tenure at the blue side of
Manchester.
After his dismissal, he was appointed as England Under 21
Manager, a position he still holds today, having guided the under 21’s to a
semi final and final appearance at the Under 21 European Championships in 2007
and 2009 respectively.
On October 20th 2011 he was appointed as head
coach of the Great Britain Olympic Football team.
A not so disparaging choice, infact a solid and shrewd
appointment, taking into consideration Stuart Pearce’s knowledge and standing
in the game, but also inparticular that of the Under-21 set up both in England
and further-a-field. A wealth of knowledge ideal for the role.
Over-Age Players
Ryan Giggs (Captain & Key Player) - this selection speaks for
itself and you don’t need me to tell you who he is. He’s won it all within the
English game and defies those who suggest at 38 he should hang up his boots.
The Manchester United stalwart had to be appointed captain for me, his presence
commands respect and I feel he can really help the younger members of the
squad. Famous for his play down the wings, I expect Ryan to play in a more
central position, suring up the middle of the park.
Craig Bellamy - As his fellow Welsh
compatriot, Craig’s inclusive based on ability and merit affords Team GB some
real attacking menace going forward. Even at 33, he remains as pacey as ever,
flexible enough to play down the wings or in a support striker role, perhaps
dropping in the hole behind a Daniel Sturridge to bridge the gap between
midfield and attack.
His experience can only benefit those around him,
in particular the likes of Joe Allen, Scott Sinclair and Aaron Ramsey.
Micah Richards - Fresh off the Premier
League triumph with club side Manchester City, a favourite of Stuart Pearce
from his time at City and nurturing Micah through the Under 21s. No doubt felt
aggrieved not to be in the England squad jetting off to the European
Championships in Poland and the Ukraine.
I myself believe Micah to be a better all-round
Right back than Glen Johnson, with the flexibility to fill in at Centre back if
necessary, an option Stuart Pearce may choose to utilise to bolster an
otherwise inexperienced back four. Johnson is no doubt, a gifted player but
lacks the balance of when to attack and when to defend, despite this I felt he
grew in stature during the Euros and Micah will have to continue to exercise
outstanding performances in the blue of Manchester City next season to unhinge
Johnson from the right back position for England. A strong performance in the
Olympics would surely do Micah no harm at all.
Full Squad
No.
Position. Name. D.O.B. Club
1 GK Jack Butland 10.0393
(aged 19)
Birmingham City
2 DF
Neil
Taylor 7.02.89
(aged 23)
Swansea City
3 DF
Ryan Bertrand 5.08.89 (aged 22)
Chelsea
4 DF
Danny Rose 2.07.90
(aged 22)
Tottenham
5 DF
Steven
Caulker 29.12.91 (aged
20)
Tottenham
6 DF
Craig Dawson
6.05.90 (aged 22)
West Brom
7 MF
Tom Cleverley
12.08.89 (aged 22)
Man Utd
8 MF
Joe Allen 14.03.90
(aged 22)
Swansea City
9 FW
Daniel
Sturridge 1.09.89 (aged
22)
Chelsea
10 FW
Craig Bellamy 13.07.79 (aged 33)
Liverpool
11 MF
Ryan Giggs
(C) 29.11.73 (aged 38)
Man Utd
12 DF
James
Tomkins 29.03.89 (aged
23)
West Ham Utd
13 MF
Jack Cork
25.06.89 (aged 23)
Southampton
14 DF
Micah
Richards 24.06.88 (aged
24)
Man City
15 MF Aaron Ramsey 26.12.90 (aged 21)
Arsenal
16 MF Scott Sinclair 25.03.89 (aged 23)
Swansea City
17 FW
Marvin
Sordell 17.02.91 (aged
21)
Bolton Wanderers
18 GK Jason Steele
18.08.90 (aged 21)
Middlesbrough
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Group Game Fixtures
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Date
Stage Venue Opponent
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July
26, 2012 Group
A Old Trafford, Manchester
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July
29, 2012 Group
A Wembley Stadium,
London
U. A. E
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August
1, 2012 Group
A Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Uruguay
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