London Olympics 2012: Preview to Great Britain's football team

A brief history

1960 was the last time Great Britain featured at the Olympics. After winning the gold twice in 1908 and 1912, they went on to qualify for the next six editions, but repeatedly failed to cope with expectations. Since 1960, they have never featured at the Olympics for a rather peculiar but completely understandable reason.

The Home Nations rule gives England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland their own teams. But in the Olympics, they would have to field a single united team as they all come under Great Britain. The smaller regions feared that they would lose their independent team status, and so had second thoughts about participating at the Games.

Another reason why team GB didn’t have a presence at the Olympics was that from 1972 onwards, the Football Association stopped recognizing amateur players. Since it was a practice of Great Britain to send only the amateur players to the Olympics, they stopped sending a team altogether after 1972.

This year, the country has ironed out all the differences and has decided to field a single, united team. Their chances to win this year are high as they hope to convert the fantastic home support into winning momentum.

Coach Stuart Pearce has made it clear who is boss by letting David Beckham know that he was not fit enough to be one of the three over-age players in the squad. The three over-age players were quite predictable with only Craig Bellamy coming in as a surprise when everyone expected Beckham to make the cut instead. They have been grouped along with Senegal, UAE and Uruguay with the usual pre-tournament favorites Uruguay posing a threat.

The Eighteen-man Squad

Coach: Stuart Pearce

Goalkeepers: Jason Steele (Middlesbrough), Jack Butland (Birmingham City)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), James Tomkins (West Ham United), Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur), Craig Dawson (West Bromwich Albion), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Micah Richards (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Southampton), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Joe Allen (Swansea City)

Forwards: Scott Sinclair (Swansea City), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Marvin Sordell (Bolton Wanderers)

What to expect from them?

Winners, no doubt. They have the calibre to win the gold, with exceptional individuals in the squad. What surprises football fans and pundits alike is how England are able to put in dismal performances on the grandest stages. With the entire nation watching them, they are expected to deliver the best, and hopefully will be able to calm the tide.

Key Player – Ryan Giggs

A lot has been said about the appointment of Ryan Giggs as the captain of Team GB, with many preferring Beckham as the rightful owner of the arm band as he contributed a lot to bring the Olympics to London. But Giggs, who has 64 appearances for Wales, is yet to prove himself in a major tournament and the Olympics would be another accolade in his very illustrious career. Orchestrating the midfield would be his primary duty and along with Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, he would look to dictate play in the midfield. Britain would certainly expect him to put in a few inspiring words given all his experience to fire up the young boys.

Hopefully this team won’t disappoint the home crowd, and will actually win a medal.