There seems to be a generally held feeling of 'meh' towards the football tournaments held at the Olympic games, perhaps in part because Team GB is normally absent, or just because it is viewed as a bit of a 'Mickey Mouse' tournament of trivial importance. Played in the same summer as the European Championships, people may have seen all the big tournament football they want.
Personally, I love it. You get to see a lot of up-and-coming stars together with a few big names playing in a more 'friendly' atmosphere than a traditional competition. I'm not suggesting it has the same pull as the WC/Euros, but it is certainly infinitely better than random friendlies.
Atlanta '96 was, IMO, one of the best football tournaments I've ever seen. Nigeria were on the verge of establishing themselves as a force in world football and I was in awe of a 17 year old Babayaro, who at the time was heavily linked to Arsenal (he went to Chelsea eventually). Kanu, Okocha etc were in the side too.
Their semifinal against Brazil was unbelievable, Nigeria winning 4-3 in extra time, a proper gripping football match well worth staying up for. The games were played quite late due to timezone differences but fortunately due to exams I had a long summer break
Brazil themselves were no pub team, Ronaldo, Bebeto, Juninho, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo etc etc.
Then Argentina were hugely impressive as well, taking the tournament seriously, this was the first itme I spotted a young Hernan Crespo (before he'd come to Europe) and I was thinking, this guy looks useful.
So the question is when it comes to London 2012 what should GB be doing? By the sounds of it Scotland/NI/Wales want to boycott the team due to fears about losing independent status. Not sure I follow the logic of this as even in Athletics we compete independently at the Commenwealth games but still together as GB in the Olympics. But anyway my attitude is **** 'em, if they don't want to be involved at least it means no need to make any political decisions about the manager or team, lets show up with an English team and make Britain, er, England proud.
Personally, I love it. You get to see a lot of up-and-coming stars together with a few big names playing in a more 'friendly' atmosphere than a traditional competition. I'm not suggesting it has the same pull as the WC/Euros, but it is certainly infinitely better than random friendlies.
Atlanta '96 was, IMO, one of the best football tournaments I've ever seen. Nigeria were on the verge of establishing themselves as a force in world football and I was in awe of a 17 year old Babayaro, who at the time was heavily linked to Arsenal (he went to Chelsea eventually). Kanu, Okocha etc were in the side too.
Their semifinal against Brazil was unbelievable, Nigeria winning 4-3 in extra time, a proper gripping football match well worth staying up for. The games were played quite late due to timezone differences but fortunately due to exams I had a long summer break
Brazil themselves were no pub team, Ronaldo, Bebeto, Juninho, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo etc etc.Then Argentina were hugely impressive as well, taking the tournament seriously, this was the first itme I spotted a young Hernan Crespo (before he'd come to Europe) and I was thinking, this guy looks useful.
So the question is when it comes to London 2012 what should GB be doing? By the sounds of it Scotland/NI/Wales want to boycott the team due to fears about losing independent status. Not sure I follow the logic of this as even in Athletics we compete independently at the Commenwealth games but still together as GB in the Olympics. But anyway my attitude is **** 'em, if they don't want to be involved at least it means no need to make any political decisions about the manager or team, lets show up with an English team and make Britain, er, England proud.
