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Team GB hopefuls ‘buzzing’ ahead of London 2012 Olympics: We’ve got a great opportunity to raise the profile of women’s football in the UK
England stars Kelly Smith, Faye White, Alex Scott and Ellen White expect summer games to leave a long lasting legacy, while Hope Powell's side eye gold medal success on home soil
2 Feb 2012 18:34:00
EXCLUSIVE
By Joe Doyle
It is less than 200 days until the kick off of the London 2012 Olympic games, and for the first time Team GB will compete in the women’s football tournament.
Under the guidance of Hope Powell, Britain’s top players such as England’s Kelly Smith and Faye White hope their involvement in this year’s competition will have a great impact on women’s football in the UK, and leave a lasting legacy.
With such a high profile event taking place in Britain, the players looking to be involved are positive that the games can only have a positive effect on the nation.
“I’ve been involved with women’s football for a long time so to think that it is now going to be represented by Team GB at the Olympics is unbelievable,” England captain Faye White told Goal.com
“The excitement is building even now. I’m just so excited about the fact that we’ve got a great opportunity to raise the profile of the game and raise awareness.”
“It will have a great impact,” Alex Scott added, echoing her national team-mate’s comments. “The other nations take the Olympics really seriously. The USA – it’s one of the big things that they really aim to achieve a gold medal in.
“So to bring that to England and get the fans out, it’s going to be a major tournament. It’s going to be great to get the home support. Hopefully the fans come out and cheer us on to a gold medal.
“It’s a one-off experience and to be a part of an historic event is just going to be amazing.”
“The fact that it’s in London – hopefully it will inspire people to go out and have a kickabout with friends or even join local clubs and raise the profile of the women’s game and media coverage, and hopefully do women’s football justice,” said Ellen White of the Arsenal Ladies.
“Hopefully it will create a legacy in terms of the facilities that have been built and a lot more people taking part in sport and being healthy, and a legacy in terms of sporting achievement – hopefully we’ll win some medals as well.”
Kelly Smith admitted that she was “buzzing” at the prospect of playing at some of the biggest football grounds across Britain, and hoped the Olympics would give people all over the country the opportunity to get involved in sport.
“Playing in these big stadiums… Obviously we’re here today at Wembley, seeing the massive stadium – the women’s final is already sold out,” she said.
“There’s going to be great attendances at the stadiums; the Millennium Stadium has the first two games in Cardiff so hopefully they’ll be sold out and great attendances to play in front of.
“I think it’ll be a great showcase for people to come out and watch women’s football. The games are all across the country, so come out and watch a game!”
Team GB have already announced their coaches for the men’s and women’s games, with England Under-21s coach Stuart Pearce set to take charge of the men and England manager Hope Powell managing the women.
Everyone is looking to be involved, with no female footballer turning down the opportunity to be selected, and the players confessed that the thought of winning an Olympic gold medal had never crossed their mind.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to represent in women’s football probably the strongest team you could have ever put together,” added White.
“I play at Arsenal and we have Scottish and Welsh players in that team who have made a massive impact over the years in women’s football.
“It really has the potential to be the best crop of players represented. As a youngster [I didn’t think I’d get the chance to play at the Olympics], certainly not. Every female footballer would probably say the same.”
And it will have to be a special group of players to take the gold medal at Wembley Stadium. In particular, everyone is looking out for winners of the last World Cup, Japan.
“They were brilliant at the World Cup last year, and they did it in style,” Smith said. “Homare Sawa has just won Fifa player of the year – she dictates their midfield. And obviously there’s Marta from Brazil [to look out for if they qualify].
“There’s so many great players who are going to be showcased in this tournament it’s hard to single out a few; there’s going to be some top talent here.”
But England are quietly confident about their chances as well, with all players aiming to leave the tournament with a medal.
“Team selection is up to the coach, but having played the women’s game and thinking how strong our team could be, we have to go in with the real contenders, push on and get to that final,” said Faye White.
“I think you’ve got to go into any tournament wanting to do well and win, so we want to go for the gold medal,” added Ellen White.
“Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell will pick the players that they think will do amazing jobs in the tournament, so hopefully both will be going for gold.”
By Joe Doyle
It is less than 200 days until the kick off of the London 2012 Olympic games, and for the first time Team GB will compete in the women’s football tournament.
Under the guidance of Hope Powell, Britain’s top players such as England’s Kelly Smith and Faye White hope their involvement in this year’s competition will have a great impact on women’s football in the UK, and leave a lasting legacy.
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With such a high profile event taking place in Britain, the players looking to be involved are positive that the games can only have a positive effect on the nation.
“I’ve been involved with women’s football for a long time so to think that it is now going to be represented by Team GB at the Olympics is unbelievable,” England captain Faye White told Goal.com
“The excitement is building even now. I’m just so excited about the fact that we’ve got a great opportunity to raise the profile of the game and raise awareness.”
“It will have a great impact,” Alex Scott added, echoing her national team-mate’s comments. “The other nations take the Olympics really seriously. The USA – it’s one of the big things that they really aim to achieve a gold medal in.
“So to bring that to England and get the fans out, it’s going to be a major tournament. It’s going to be great to get the home support. Hopefully the fans come out and cheer us on to a gold medal.
“It’s a one-off experience and to be a part of an historic event is just going to be amazing.”
“The fact that it’s in London – hopefully it will inspire people to go out and have a kickabout with friends or even join local clubs and raise the profile of the women’s game and media coverage, and hopefully do women’s football justice,” said Ellen White of the Arsenal Ladies.
Team GB | Powell's hopefuls are eyeing success at London 2012
“Hopefully it will create a legacy in terms of the facilities that have been built and a lot more people taking part in sport and being healthy, and a legacy in terms of sporting achievement – hopefully we’ll win some medals as well.”
Kelly Smith admitted that she was “buzzing” at the prospect of playing at some of the biggest football grounds across Britain, and hoped the Olympics would give people all over the country the opportunity to get involved in sport.
“Playing in these big stadiums… Obviously we’re here today at Wembley, seeing the massive stadium – the women’s final is already sold out,” she said.
“There’s going to be great attendances at the stadiums; the Millennium Stadium has the first two games in Cardiff so hopefully they’ll be sold out and great attendances to play in front of.
“I think it’ll be a great showcase for people to come out and watch women’s football. The games are all across the country, so come out and watch a game!”
| FAYE WHITE |
 "I’ve been involved with women’s football for a long time so to think that it is now going to be represented by Team GB at the Olympics is unbelievable" |
Everyone is looking to be involved, with no female footballer turning down the opportunity to be selected, and the players confessed that the thought of winning an Olympic gold medal had never crossed their mind.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to represent in women’s football probably the strongest team you could have ever put together,” added White.
“I play at Arsenal and we have Scottish and Welsh players in that team who have made a massive impact over the years in women’s football.
“It really has the potential to be the best crop of players represented. As a youngster [I didn’t think I’d get the chance to play at the Olympics], certainly not. Every female footballer would probably say the same.”
And it will have to be a special group of players to take the gold medal at Wembley Stadium. In particular, everyone is looking out for winners of the last World Cup, Japan.
“They were brilliant at the World Cup last year, and they did it in style,” Smith said. “Homare Sawa has just won Fifa player of the year – she dictates their midfield. And obviously there’s Marta from Brazil [to look out for if they qualify].
“There’s so many great players who are going to be showcased in this tournament it’s hard to single out a few; there’s going to be some top talent here.”
But England are quietly confident about their chances as well, with all players aiming to leave the tournament with a medal.
“Team selection is up to the coach, but having played the women’s game and thinking how strong our team could be, we have to go in with the real contenders, push on and get to that final,” said Faye White.
“I think you’ve got to go into any tournament wanting to do well and win, so we want to go for the gold medal,” added Ellen White.
“Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell will pick the players that they think will do amazing jobs in the tournament, so hopefully both will be going for gold.”
|
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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