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      Man City skipper Houghton reveals she was ‘desperate’ to be in Team GB after London 2012 experience

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      STEPH HOUGHTON has opened up on her desperation to be part of Team GB women’s football squad after competing in the London 2012 Games. The Manchester City and England skipper says the pride she felt in representing Great Britain is something she is eager to feel again.
      Houghton will represent Team GB for the second time at an Olympics after competing in the London 2012 GamesCredit: Getty
      Houghton is among a group of five WSL veterans who helped Britain reach the quarter-finals of the women’s football tournament at the 2012 Olympics.
      The City star and Olympians Jill Scott, Kim Little, Karen Bardsley and Ellen White hope to win a medal this time around.
      And Houghton, 33, cannot wait to help head coach Hege Riise and Team GB achieve something special at the Tokyo Games in July.
      The City skipper said: “Being part of London 2012 and experiencing what the Olympic Games was like.
      “I was so desperate to get selected for this one, not just for me but the rest of the team we’re so proud to be able to represent Team GB.
      “With the success of the last Olympics, in terms of women’s football and how it was probably a watershed moment in so many different ways.
      “In terms of how many fans came to watch us, the performances that we produced, everybody’s so excited to get to Tokyo to go and do something special.”
      Back in 2012, Houghton and her team began their quest to win an Olympic medal in stunning fashion
      Houghton is one of five 2012 Olympians included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad of 18Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      They won their opening three group games and thumped Cameroon 3-0 in the last 16.
      But their run was cut short when they lost 2-0 in the quarters to Canada.
      But Houghton believes the Champions League experience gained by the current crop of Team GB’s football stars could help them in their bid to win a medal.
      Houghton added: “If I look back to 2012 I think we performed really well in the group stages.
      “And I look back at the game against Canada in the quarter-final back then and I know that it wasn’t the best version of us as a team.
      “I look at the squad and the individuals that we have and the mix of not just English players but Scottish and Welsh players.
      “I think it’s a squad full of quality people, that individually have played in big games, whether that’s a Champions League final or the highest games at the World Cup for their country.”

      Houghton, who has made 81 Man City appearances since her 2014 switch from Arsenal, led England to the semis of the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.
      And the Olympian, who made four Team GB appearances at the 2012 Games, believes Riise’s squad has the right balance of older and younger players to excel in Tokyo.
      Houghton added: “The talent we have really excites me and I think we’ve got the perfect blend of youth and experience.
      “And for us, our expectation is always to go and win as many games as we possibly can and that doesn’t change whether I’m sitting here wearing a Team GB shirt or an England shirt.”
      Houghton is proud to see the Team GB squad feature rising stars such as Lauren HempCredit: Getty
      Manchester United forward Ella Toone and Chelsea’s Niamh Charles are among the four WSL stars travelling with Team GB as reserves.
      They will be joined by Everton keeper Sandy MacIver and Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy who are serving as back-ups for Riise’s squad of 18.
      And Houghton says she is curious to see how they will react emotionally to being at the Games in Tokyo.
      If I look back at the last year and what we’ve been all been through as people, not just as footballers, ultimately we’re just so happy to be able to go to an Olympic GamesSteph Houghton
      The Man City captain said: “I’ve actually been speaking to the likes of Ella Toone and Niamh Charles who are going to be with us for the whole tournament.
      “And I’m so excited to see how they’ll react to being in that environment because of the feelings I had as a young player at London 2012.
      “It’s such a surreal feeling to be part of something that we’ve all probably watched since we’ve been kids but we’ve never expected to be a part of.
      “I’m just so excited for them to experience what we did and for the likes of me, Jill Scott, Ellen White, Karen Bardsley and Kim Little, to go and experience that again we feel so fortunate and proud that we can do it.
      “But I think if I look back at the last year and what we’ve been all been through as people, not just as footballers, ultimately we’re just so happy to be able to go to an Olympic Games.
      Houghton is looking forward to seeing the effect the Tokyo Olympics will have on young players including Niamh CharlesCredit: Getty
      “To go and represent Team GB and even though our families and all our fans can’t be there with us I know they’ll be there with us back home.”
      Houghton won plaudits for her Team GB performances at the 2012 Games, becoming her side’s top scorer with three goals in the tournament.
      But the centre-back, who has won three FA Cups and a league title with Man City has not had the best preparation for the tournament due to an Achilles injury.
      However the City skipper, who is “100 per cent fit” is raring to start training.
      Houghton added: “It’s not been ideal preparation, in terms of our players have played a lot of games.
      “And for me to be missing just over a month and a half worth of games is unlike me.
      “But there were lots of conversations behind the scenes in terms of ultimately my aim was to represent Team GB at the Olympics.
      “I just had to listen to the doctors at England and Manchester City and the physios and the coaches.
      Hege Riise’s Great Britain squad features by ten of Houghton’s Man City team-matesCredit: Getty
      “I have also been taking my time a little bit more so that I’m ready to go and yeah I’m 100% fit.
      “I’ve been training over the last few weeks, I feel confident in my body and I just can’t wait to start training with the rest of the girls.”
      Great Britain are due to play Chile in their opening Olympic Group E game followed by clashes Japan and Canada in their Olympic group matches.
      Matches are due to commence on July 21 with their first two fixtures due to take place at the Sapporo Dome.
      Team GB will play their opening game at the Sapporo Dome Stadium where David Beckham netted England’s winner in a 2002 World Cup game against ArgentinaCredit: Reuters
      Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp among WSL aces included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad More

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      Team GB eye men’s football team at Paris 2024 Olympics having not featured since London 2012

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      TEAM GB are keen on sending a men’s football team to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.Mark England, Chef de Mission of Team GB, has said he would “absolutely love” to take a men’s football team to the Paris Olympics, ending a 12-year absence.
      Daniel Sturridge, 22 at the time, featured for Team GBCredit: GETTY IMAGES
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      The men’s team has not featured since the London 2012 Olympics, which saw them reach the quarter-finals on home soil.
      Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs captained the team, which included Premier League stars such as Daniel Sturridge, Aaron Ramsey, Ryan Bertrand and Craig Bellamy.
      But the team filled with Premier League stars lost to South Korea in the quarter-finals on penalties.
      Great Britain’s women’s team, however, will compete in this summer’s Tokyo Olympics.
      And England is hopeful that the success of the Women’s team will be a “positive step” for an open discussion on a men’s team in the future.
      He said: “I would absolutely love to take a men’s football team to the Olympic Games.
      “I think the experiences that the women have had through the home country FAs hopefully will be that positive step and impetus for an open dialogue on men’s teams in the future.”
      England went on to praise the strength of women’s football.
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      And has admitted that Team GB would be disappointed if they were not able to field a competitive team in the Paris 2024 Olympics, as well as the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
      He said: “Obviously the strength now that we can see in women’s football (means) we’d be very disappointed if, in France in Paris in 2024 and on to Los Angeles in 2028, we weren’t fielding competitive teams across all sports but in particular competitive teams in football as well.
      “We’ve only concentrated on this particular cycle, and then as soon as this one is over, we’ll be getting across the negotiating table to ensure that all of the good work that’s been done for this particular cycle, we can replicate in 2024 and 2028 as well.”
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      in Soccer

      Britain’s Olympic women’s team will go to scene of David Beckham’s World cup resurrection to launch bid for Tokyo glory

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      BRITAIN’S Olympic women’s team will go back to the scene of David Beckham’s World Cup resurrection to launch their bid for Tokyo glory.Team GB, coached by Norwegian Hege Riise, were drawn with hosts Japan, Canada and Chile in Group E when the 12-team tournament kicks off on Wednesday, July 21, two days BEFORE the official opening of the Games.
      Team GB have been drawn against Japan, Canada and Chile in Group ECredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Norwegian Hege Riise’s troops will face hosts Japan in their second Group E match
      They will play their opener against Chile, as well as their second match with Japan three days later, at the indoor Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, 500 miles north of Tokyo on the island of Hokkaido.
      That was the scene of England’s grudge group match with Argentina at the 2002 World Cup.
      Sven Goran Eriksson’s side won 1-0, courtesy of a Beckham penalty, after Michael Owen had induced a “foul” by future Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
      Skipper Beckham, who had been cast in the role of national villain after his red card against Argentina in St Etienne at the 1998 World Cup, slammed home from the spot and celebrated with wild frenzy as he cast aside that cloud from four years earlier.
      Team GB’s clash with Japan takes place at the Sapporo Dome, the site where David Beckham redeemed himself to England fans in the 2002 World CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Riise’s side avoided favourites USA but the scale of their task was underlined only last week when England lost 2-0 to Canada – coached by ex-Lionesses’ boss Phil Neville’s No 2 Bev Priestman – in a friendly.
      The final group match with the Canadians will be played in Kashima on July 27.
      But by beating Chile in their opener, GB would take a huge step towards the knock-out stage with two of the three third-placed sides going on to the last eight.
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      in Soccer

      Scotland star Cuthbert hopes Chelsea performances will help her land a Team GB spot

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      ERIN CUTHBERT hopes helping Chelsea bag a quadruple will nab her a place in Hege Riise’s squad for the Tokyo Olympics. And the Blues ace told the BBC it would be a dream to play for Team GB’s women’s team at the games this year. 
      Erin Cuthbert says it would be ‘a dream’ to be in the Team GB football squad competing at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      The Scotland star is contention for spot in Team GB coach Hege Riise’s squadCredit: The Sun
      Cuthbert, 22, whose club will play London City Lionesses in the Women’s FA Cup, was reflecting on watching North Korea defeat Colombia in the first match played at the London 2012 games. 
      And the midfielder, who has 36 senior Scotland caps, says winning a Team GB spot, the Champions League, FA Cup and WSL title would be the perfect round-off to this term.
      Cuthbert told BBC Scotland: “I never thought I would have the opportunity to be selected. 
      “I know it would be an amazing journey and experience, but at the same time, I am focused on Chelsea. 
      “I want to win the league, I want to win the FA Cup and I want to win the Champions League.
      “I am living the dream without a doubt. It is a little bit of a fairytale.”
      Cuthbert, who moved to Chelsea in 2017 after spending 2015 to 2016 at Glasgow City, has made 16 WSL appearances this term, netting once and providing six assists. 
      Her club side have already bagged one piece of silverware winning the Conti Cup trophy this term.
      And the midfield star, whose father hails from Northern Ireland, says the Euros qualifying success of Kenny Shiels’ side made her reflect on the heartbreak of Scotland missing out on a place in the 2022 tournament. 
       The Women’s European Championship hopes of Cuthbert and her national team-mates were ended following a 1-0 loss to Finland. 
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      Cuthbert told BBC Scotland she was delighted to see Northern Ireland reach the 2022 Women’s European ChampionshipsCredit: Getty

      Their opponents, who went on to qualify for the contest, scored a stoppage-time goal at Scotland’s turf at Easter Round in December 2020. 
      Cuthbert added: “My dad is Northern Irish, so he is a little bit happy. 
      “I’m delighted for them, it’s an incredible achievement, but it is gut-wrenching that we had such a good team and we are not going to be at the tournament. I’m jealous.
      “We have not had a debrief. I can’t put my finger on it, but there were a catalogue of things – we dominated games against Portugal and Finland but just couldn’t score and we have to put that right.”
      Putting things right on the pitch against Europe’s top clubs is something Cuthbert and Emma Hayes’ other players aim to do in the Champions League campaign this term.
      The Chelsea star was part of the Blues team beaten by Lyon in the semis two years ago and is determined to see her side progress beyond that stage this season. 
      It’s an ambition shared by Kingsmeadow boss Hayes, 44, with her WSL title holders looking to become the first English side to reach a Women’s Champions League final since Arsenal in 2007. 
      Cuthbert added: “I’ve experienced the heartache of being so close and not reaching the final, so I know what it feels like. 
      “I’ll remember that and I don’t want to experience that again.”
      The final 18-strong squad set to represent Great Britain in the women’s football tournament at the Olympics is due to be announced in May.
      Cuthbert and Chelsea will play London City Lionesses in the fourth round of the Women’s FA CupCredit: PA
      Cuthbert wants to help Chelsea win three more trophies this term following their Conti Cup triumphCredit: Getty
      Four extra players will be invited to travel to Tokyo as reserves.
      Players, who can be chosen from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will be coached by Hege Riise at the games. 
      The Norway-born coach, 51, was part of a Norwegian side who won gold at the Sydney 2000 games by dispatching tournament favourites the USA with an extra time golden goal.
      Riise’s Team GB players will compete in a 12-team tournament in Tokyo taking place from 21 July to August 6.
       Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Hege Riise will select an 18-strong Team squad to compete in the women’s football tournament at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: PA
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      France 3 England 1: PSG star Baltimore on target as Lionesses fall to first loss under Riise

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      ENGLAND succumbed to their first defeat under interim boss Hege Riise as France impressed in Caen.Sandy Baltimore’s first-half wonder strike was among the goals that saw the visitors lose 3-1 after an entertaining end-to-end battle. 
      France beat England 3-1 in an international friendly in CaenCredit: AP
      PSG star Sandy Baltimore netted France’s opening goalCredit: Reuters
      Before kick-off there was a sombre tribute paid to Prince Phillip, with both teams holding a minute’s silence following The Duke of Edinburgh’s death hours before the clash. 
      And the early exchanges saw France show their attacking intent with danger woman Baltimore shooting narrowly wide after wrong-footing keeper Ellie Roebuck in the seventh minute. 
      With the contest seen as an audition for places in Riise’s Team GB Olympics squad, the Lionesses were also keen to get off to a flier. 
      And the team, led by skipper Ellen White, had some decent opportunities.
      First, through, Beth Mead’s fierce strike forcing a good save from Pauline Magnin-Peyraud in the 13th minute.
      And then through Nikita Parris looking to capitalise on a France error ten minutes later forcing the stopper to tip the ball behind. 
      But it was France –  who looked threatening on the counter – who took the lead with Baltimore smashing her effort into the top corner just after the half-hour mark.
      And England should have equalised in the second minute of stoppage time in the first period, but Parris sent her header agonisingly wide. 
      The second-half saw France win a penalty much to the frustration of skipper White and her team-mates. 
      And super sub Vivianne Asseyi doubled the hosts’ lead on the 60-minute mark. 
      Nikita Parris had a golden opportunity to level the game for England in the stoppage time stage of the first halfCredit: AP

      The introduction of Chloe Kelly, Niamh Charles and Lauren Hemp changed the momentum of the game for England.  
      And Hemp won a penalty converted by Fran Kirby in the late stages of the clash. 
      But a goal on the counter from PSG ace Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the closing moments saw France put the game to bed.
      Hege Riise and the Lionesses will take on Canada who beat Wales 3-0Credit: Getty
      Lionesses in training More

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      in Athletics

      Team GB sprinter Reece Prescod hopes move to Florida will bring Tokyo Olympics glory and break Linford Christie’s record

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      REECE PRESCOD believes relocating to Florida will revolutionise his career — and fulfil two targets in his athletics career.Britain’s fourth fastest male sprinter flew to the US this month to begin training on the road to the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
      Reece Prescod, 25, hopes training in Florida will help him bring success to Team GB at the OlympicsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The ambitious 25-year-old — whose 100 metres personal best is 9.94sec — has made no secret about wanting to win a medal and potentially break Linford Christie’s 1993 national record of 9.87.
      Prescod, one of SunSport’s Samurai Seven to watch on the Road to Tokyo, revealed he has parted ways with coach Jonas Dodoo after eight years to link up with veteran Mike Holloway, 62, in the Sunshine State.
      He said: “Mike has been around for years and comes with a lot of expertise.
      “He has coached guys to run sub-44, sub-20 and sub-ten for the 400m, 200m and 100m.
      “I’ve always said I wanted to do the 100m, 200m and 400m. So he ticks all the boxes.
      “In lockdown, I got to a stage where I had time to sit and reflect on everything.
      “When I compete against the world’s best, the guys winning the medals and running the times were from the US and Jamaica.
      “They tend to be in better condition to  survive the rounds.
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      Prescod is Britain’s fourth fastest male sprinterCredit: Getty – Contributor

      “The Americans and Jamaicans always win the majority of the Olympics and World Championships. It’s because of the type of training they’re doing.
      “I want a coach to teach me to do that. Even if it takes me a bit longer that’s ultimately what I want to do. I want to win medals.
      “I don’t want to get a high world ranking or place high on the Diamond League circuit.
      “Fortunately for me, a lot of coaches rated my talent, not just the UK-based ones. I looked at going to Jamaica, maybe Usain Bolt’s old coach, but Jamaican culturally, even though I have family heritage from there, is very different.
      “I liked Mike’s principles, which are about making someone a better athlete and a better man at the same time. I’ve been in England for a long time and I know what I want from myself.
      “The training group there seems really, really friendly, a lot more upbeat.
      “It has come at a good time for me, I’m training good, eating well, sleeping well.
      “I’ve learned now that I cannot base all my happiness and everything on athletics performance.
      “Before that, if I was running well, I am up here. And if I’m running bad, I’m down there. In times like this, that’s not a healthy way to live.
      “In an ideal world I’d live in England, settle down, get a nice house, have a girlfriend, have a nice coach in England, have a nice life.
      Prescod is also eager to break Linford Christie’s record for the 100 metre dashCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Prescod is confident his American dream can make his Tokyo gold dream a realityCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “But for what I want, for my performance, I need to go there. That’s what I have to try to get out of America.”
      Londoner Prescod, who started following Holloway’s training sessions last year via Zoom, claims he would have been fit for the Tokyo Olympics had they not been postponed by the  pandemic for 12 months.
      Nonetheless, injuries have played a huge part in his  journey.
      Notably the right hamstring  he tore in Oslo in June 2019, which forced him out of the Doha World Championships later that year.
      Prescod spent fortnightly sessions in Germany with Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who worked on Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt before the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
      The 2018 European 100m silver medallist has skipped the indoor season and will concentrate fully on the Team GB trials in Manchester this summer.
      Prescod, who benefits from National Lottery funds, admitted: “The mental barriers play in my head because I haven’t run in a long time. I probably don’t know what 100m feels like now!
      “I’d really like to break the British record and to get some medals at a championship. That’s my aim for the rest of my track career.
      “That’s the level I will aim for. You see how Bolt did it — you’d see him on the Diamond League here and there but, ultimately, he got ready for the Jamaican national trials.
      “Then he went to the Games and gave his best running. That’s what I have got to do now.”
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      British team that travelled to Poland for European Indoor Athletics Championship in isolation after positive Covid test

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      BRITISH athletes that competed at last weekend’s Euro Indoors must self-isolate for ten days following a positive Covid-19 test in the camp.
      The majority of the squad that travelled to Torun in Poland for the European Indoors Athletics Championship – 46 athletes plus 20-odd support staff – will be required to stay at home in line with UK government guidelines.

      British athletes returning from Poland following the European Indoors must self-isolate for ten daysCredit: AFP

      A member of the support staff returned a positive lateral flow test on Tuesday evening – this is despite returning a negative result before flying into the UK.
      It is understood most of the squad, led by new head coach Christian Malcolm, travelled home in the early hours of Monday morning having left their hotel on Sunday evening.
      Athletes had to isolate for five days but this latest development might inconvenience their training schedules.
      A British Athletics spokesperson said: “British Athletics has confirmed that a member of the GB & NI team travelling party returning from Torun provided a positive lateral flow test on the evening of March 9.

      “This has been followed up this morning with a PCR test.
      “As a result, all members of the travelling party will now need to self-isolate for a period of ten days from Monday March 8 (ends Thursday March 18) in line with government guidance.”
      The three-day event was overshadowed by hosts Poland withdrawing their entire 4x400m men’s relay squad after positive coronavirus tests.
      Belgian hurdler Eline Berings was shocked to discover she had tested positive for coronavirus last Saturday despite showing no symptoms.

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      I hope this never happens to anyone again and there can be a solution for such situations in the future.Also, if anyone has an idea what might cause a false positive… I’d be happy to hear. Bad luck is not really an answer that suits professional sports…. @vanranstmarc pic.twitter.com/RU42uCeKUH
      — Eline Berings (@ElineBerings) March 9, 2021

      Though she was immediately excluded from competition, the 34-year-old claims she tested NEGATIVE on the Sunday following another a PCR test.
      Berings tweeted: “I hope this never happens to anyone again and there can be a solution for such situations in the future.
      “Also, if anyone has an idea what might cause a false positive…I’d be happy to hear. Bad luck is not really an answer that suits professional sports.”
      False positives could indeed be a major headaches for competitors heading to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics later this summer – as it would almost certainly rule them out of action in the Japanese capital.
      At the Europeans, Britain won 12 medals – two golds, four silvers, six bronzes – to finish third in the standings behind Holland and Portugal.
      This matches their record haul from Glasgow in 2019 and represents their best squad display on foreign soil in the competition’s 55-year history.
      Keely Hodgkinson, the 19-year-old Leigh runner, won 800m gold at her first major champs while US-based Amy-Eloise Markovc was triumphant in the 3,000m on the opening night.

      Sisters Cindy Sember and Tiffany Porter, in the mask, won silver and bronze in the 60m hurdlesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Keely Hodgkinson became European 800m champion, one of two gold medals won by Britain in Torun, PolandCredit: EPA

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      in Boxing

      Team GB ace Cheavon Clarke holding on to Olympic dream and following in golden oldie Joe Joyce’s footsteps

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      CHEAVON CLARKE is looking up to Joe Joyce and banking on becoming another Team GB golden oldie.
      The 30-year-old Team GB heavyweight celebrated The Juggernaut’s November win over Daniel Dubois, especially as Joyce went into the British title clash as the underdog.

      Team GB heavyweight Ceavon Clarke is holding tight for the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: PA:Press Association

      The Putney ace took his 2016 Olympic silver quality – after he was robbed of a gold in Rio – as well as all of his knowhow from years in the British amateur boxing super-school to dominate the red-hot prospect.
      Joyce, 35, spent years as Anthony Joshua’s understudy in Sheffield and had to bide his time.
      And Clarke is having to show similar patience now the pandemic is delaying his overdue shot at Olympic legacy.
      “Joe is a good story, I respect his hustle and the way he has levelled up,” Clarke told SunSport.

      “Joe started boxing later in life than a lot of boxers and took every opportunity that came his way and has never settled.
      “Some people get on the Team GB squad and think ‘I am the best in the country’ but then they have to go on to become the best in Europe and the world.
      “That’s why I respect what Joe has done, as well as guys like Joshua Buatsi, James DeGale, AJ and going right back to Audley Harrison.”

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      The delay to Tokyo 2020 has forced a lot of amateur boxers into snap decisions.
      Former Team GB prospect Solly Dacres will make his pro debut on March 20 and the American amateur team lost their hottest talent Keyshawn Davis to the paid ranks last month on the Canelo undercard.
      But Kent ace Clarke, speaking to SunSport to launch his new website and clothing line, is still laser-focused on representing his country at the highest level.
      “We are all on our own journey so everyone has to make their own right decision,” he said.

      Cheavon Clarke wants to follow in the footsteps of Team GB stars like James DeGale and Anthony Joshua.Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      “But, for me, there is only The Olympics. No disrespect to anyone, but anyone can be a professional boxer, not a lot of people can say they have even been to an Olympics, let alone medalled or won.
      “Good luck to everyone turning over now but I have set myself a goal and I like to conquer one level at a time.
      “There is a proven track record of success here and that leaves clues.
      “It isn’t the only way, but if you build your pedigree then when you turn professional you are usually very successful.

      Joe Joyce wins a silver medal for GB in super heavyweight boxing at Rio 2016
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