Great Britain Olympic Football Team 2012

While I would have loved GB to win gold in the football it was always a tall order. Losing to South Korea on penalties is a reality check.
We have been spoiled during the last week with all the top class athletes, giving their all and more to achieve their ultimate dream and make themselves the pride of the nation. For the last 4 years they have trained hard, sacrificed much to achieve that one moment of glory. While they may be sponsored and have access to the best facilities you cannot deny that the reason they are there is to achieve Olympic glory.
I don't really think the same can be said of a bunch of selfish, overpaid footballers, half of whom refused to sing the national anthem.

(05-08-2012 08:24 )bytor Wrote:  you cannot deny that the reason they are there is to achieve Olympic glory.
I don't really think the same can be said of a bunch of selfish, overpaid footballers

No, bytor has got it completely wrong. The GB Olympic footballers are not being paid, neither the men nor the women. They played without being paid to try and win an Olympic medal, the same as everyone else in Team GB.

(05-08-2012 09:37 )cosmonaut Wrote:  

(05-08-2012 08:24 )bytor Wrote:  you cannot deny that the reason they are there is to achieve Olympic glory.
I don't really think the same can be said of a bunch of selfish, overpaid footballers

No, bytor has got it completely wrong. The GB Olympic footballers are not being paid, neither the men nor the women. They played without being paid to try and win an Olympic medal, the same as everyone else in Team GB.

No, you misunderstand me. I have not said anywhere that they are paid for being at the olympics. I am just saying generally that British footballers are overpaid, pampered under achievers. Of course they would like a gold medal but I just think that the whole Olympic ideal is not taken seriously by the football authorities as it is not a main priority. Pearce was only appointed this year and the squad assembled a matter of weeks before the games. Others attending the olympics spend years preparing for the games.
That said...can't wait for the new season!

I think I understand what you're saying Bytor.

When the whole idea of this come about, I genuinely believe it was more of a novelty or a gimmick. We've never had a Great Britain football team and if the Olympics were held else where that'd still be the case now.

However in the spirit of the Olympics one was assembled. I don't honestly believe all the players took it that seriously and were particularly overwhelmed by it. There was always going to be a conflict of club vs nation and keeping half an eye on the Premier League or Championship campaigns that were about to start afterwards...

Stuart Pearce was given the job as manager and had to draw up a short list of players, keep reducing that short list until he had his final squad. The big job after that was motivating those players to buy into this Olympic love affair and actually go out there and take pride in the event and win a medal. Here I think he succeeded. I think players like Giggs and Bellamy were inspirational and really took to it.

There was always going to be the hacks on the side lines waiting to stick the knife in, and like wise there was always going to be a conflict with the national anthem and other things Great Britain. Given the situation I think Pearce and co handled it all very well and even though the British team might not of thought it at the beginning, I think they shared a unanimous disappointment at being knocked out last night and missing a once in the life time chance.

But let's not forget, that Korean side are a top side. They've played and trained for this like other athletes and there is no shame in losing to them.
Look at the penalties they took. They were all world class and gave the 'keeper no chance. This wasn't a team of 'Fancy Dan's' this was a well trained and primed side to go and win gold. Just look what it meant to those people supporting them.

Fair play to Korea, and unlucky Great Britain.

(05-08-2012 09:54 )bytor Wrote:  Others attending the olympics spend years preparing for the games.

Yes like Uruguay for example, who were one of the favourites to win the gold medal with Luis Suarez tipped to be the tournament's top scorer - but they didn't get out of the group stage. Then there was Spain who looked to have a formidably strong squad and were widely regarded as probable winners - but they didn't get out of the group stage either. Did GB really underachieve? I don't think they had a bad tournament - aside from the penalty shoot out they had 2 wins and 2 draws. Then what about the women? The quarter finals was not bad for them either and with 3 wins including victory over Brazil and 1 defeat from their 4 matches their performance was pretty respectable.

(05-08-2012 13:47 )Money_Shot Wrote:  We've never had a Great Britain football team

I'm sorry but that's incorrect. This was actually the 13th time we've had a Great Britain team in the men's Olympic tournament and we've even won the gold medal twice, in 1908 and 1912. With Matt Busby as manager we managed 4th place in 1948, but have never progressed beyond the quarter finals in 7 attempts since then.

(05-08-2012 14:19 )cosmonaut Wrote:  

(05-08-2012 13:47 )Money_Shot Wrote:  We've never had a Great Britain football team

I'm sorry but that's incorrect. This was actually the 13th time we've had a Great Britain team in the men's Olympic tournament and we've even won the gold medal twice, in 1908 and 1912. With Matt Busby as manager we managed 4th place in 1948, but have never progressed beyond the quarter finals in 7 attempts since then.

Sorry, of course you are correct. A huge error there on my part. I knew this because the last person to score for Great Britain before Bellamy was Paddy Hasty who at the time was the Aldershot FC captain. No idea how that managed to escape my memory at the time of writing as it is one of few claims to fame of our little club

(05-08-2012 14:02 )William H Bonney Wrote:  

(05-08-2012 09:54 )bytor Wrote:  Others attending the olympics spend years preparing for the games.

Yes like Uruguay for example, who were one of the favourites to win the gold medal with Luis Suarez tipped to be the tournament's top scorer - but they didn't get out of the group stage. Then there was Spain who looked to have a formidably strong squad and were widely regarded as probable winners - but they didn't get out of the group stage either. Did GB really underachieve? I don't think they had a bad tournament - aside from the penalty shoot out they had 2 wins and 2 draws. Then what about the women? The quarter finals was not bad for them either and with 3 wins including victory over Brazil and 1 defeat from their 4 matches their performance was pretty respectable.

I see what you are saying but can most people say the mens GB team have been entertaining to watch, shown great passion and determination in their play and skill on the ball. All these factors are what Olympic athletes strive for. As for the womens football, well I personally think they are closer to the Olympian ideal than the mens football. Anyone watching the USA v Canada tonight would know what I mean. Some great skills on display, never say die attitude from both sides, with USA winning 4-3 in time added on at the end of extra time.

I've just watched the end of the men's quarter final again and I couldn't help noticing how gutted the GB players were. Sturridge was inconsolable after his penalty was saved, but everyone else was on the floor too. I think any sceptism about the GB's efforts is misplaced, because those players really wanted to win and were so disappointed at going out. Anyway Korea now play Brazil for the right to meet Mexico in the final, after Mexico beat Japan in the first semi-final. The women's final is a repeat of the women's world cup final, USA against Japan.

Congratulations to Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg who has been chosen as referee for the men's Olympic football final on Saturday (Brazil and Mexico play for the gold medal at Wembley).