SoccerBible Meets Team GB Women's Hopefuls

SoccerBible Meets Team GB Women's Hopefuls

For the first time since 1972, Team GB will enter men s and women s soccer teams to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games. In the shadow of the city s Wembley Stadium, the venue for both soccer finals, SoccerBible caught up with women s Team GB hopefuls - Arsenal s Faye White and Ellen White, and Boston Breakers big names Kelly Smith and Alex Scott.

With over 300 international caps between them, it s fair to say this quartet is not short of experience. The girls told SoccerBible of the excitement building around the Games and what they make of their medal chances on home soil.  

 

Which players and teams should we look out for at this summer s Games? Kelly Smith: Marta Viera da Silva from Brazil and Caroline Saga of Sweden. Japan s Homare Sawa has just won FIFA Women's World Player of the Year. France are a good outfit, too.    Faye White:America and Japan could be the ones to beat. Brazil also as they have had Olympic experience. A big shock is that Germany won t be there, which opens it up for other teams. They are massive in the women s game.   Ellen White: Hope Solo the US keeper is a real talent. So many great players will be on show - it will be fantastic for young girls to watch them. And it would be a privilege to play against them. Who is your favourite player from the men s game?   Alex Scott: Dani Alves of Barcelona and Brazil. He s an attacking full-back and I love his energy.

I ve also always liked Ashley Cole. I try to model my game on his.

Does a London Olympics make it more special for you?

 

KS: I was born in London. Having the Olympics here is great. It will be something for everyone to remember and I can t wait for it to get started. There s a real buzz among the England girls and everyone is doing everything they can to make sure they re part of the team. Wembley is amazing. I played there as a kid and I actually pulled up some grass and kept it in a tube for a bit - just to say I d been there.  

 

 

What do you think of Team GB s medal chances?

FW: Team GB is a potentially really strong squad. England have shown over the years they can compete with the top nations. Looking at the other teams that have qualified, I think we can be good contenders.

KS: Team GB has a good chance of winning a medal with the amount of talent we have. England as a nation has done well and having that tournament experience will help the team. [The manager] Hope Powell has done well over the years and she knows a lot about the game. She s the perfect fit.

 

How has the introduction of the FA Women s Super League (semi-professional league introduced in April 2011) impacted the game in the UK?

FW: It s definitely been a positive thing. It has given our players more of a competitive league to play in. Financially they re better off and have more opportunities. The fact it has moved to the summer is better as well. I the momentum will keep going.

EW: The first year has gone really well. Crowds have grown and ESPN have done a great job of showing the games on TV. I really hope it continues to go well and raise the profile of women s football, so that young girls get involved through wanting to watch and aspiring to play.  

 

What are the differences between soccer in the UK and US?

KS: The main difference is the speed of the game. It s a little bit quicker in America. Maybe because over there we re playing at a professional level and training every day. In England they re part time, training twice a week. The extra training means that players are a bit stronger in the US.  

 

Have you got a favourite goal that you ve scored?

KS: It was against Russia in a group game at the European Championships in 2009. The keeper kicked it out and it fell to me in the centre circle. I took one touch and volleyed it over her head. I was about 45 yards out. It was the winner, as we won 3-2.  

 

If selected for Team GB, what boots will you wear at the Olympics? FW: Nike Total T90 Laser IV. The most recent release. I like them because these are hard-wearing and rugged. Being a centre half I need to tackle and my boots usually suffer from that. They are white! Some people say as a defender you shouldn t wear white but, White by name, so I have to wear white really! EW: Nike Tiempo Legend IV. I love them. I hurt my knee and used to wear blades. But now I wear studs and they re so light. They suit me and the way I play. KS: Umbro GT IIs - they re great speed boots. Very comfortable and light which is what I need as an attacking player. They re groovy, too, as they re orange and a bluey colour. AS: Puma v1.11 speed boots. I had the green colour way last year but my new ones are yellow which I love. I love bright colours!

Tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Football Tournament are currently on sale until February 6, with any remaining tickets being made available in April. For your chance to buy tickets to watch Team GB log on to www.tickets.london2012.com