Team GB Olympic Team Revealed

By Simon Gallagher / July 2, 2012

After last week's controversy surrounding his snub of David Beckham, Team GB boss Stuart Pearce has just announced his full squad for the upcoming Olympic games, selecting only Welsh and English players and ignoring the claims of Scottish and North Irish options. As expected, Pearce's squad includes Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards as the three over-age players. Swansea City are the most represented team in the squad with three players - defender Neil Taylor, excellent midfielder Joe Allen and speedy former Chelsea forward Scott Sinclair, who will be joined in the forward-line options by Daniel Sturridge, Bellamy and Bolton's Marvin Sordell. Pearce announced the squad with the confirmation that he didnt take any of his selection choices lightly:

It has not been an easy task to finalise my squad for this tournament, and the stature of the competition and uniqueness of the occasion has underlined the importance of every choice I have made. With just 18 places it is very different from other international tournaments, the options are limited, but it is the Olympic Games and every player in this squad should be very proud they have a chance to compete for a gold medal on home soil. I remember the huge advantage we gained from playing in front of our own fans during Euro 96, and I'm sure with the nation behind us it could be a fantastic tournament for us.

Team GB will start their Olympic campaign at Old Trafford against Senegal on 26th July, before heading to Wembley to play the United Arab Emirates three days later, and rounding out the group with a fixture against Uruguay at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 1st August. Team GB chef de mission Andy Hunt said of the announcement...

After a 52-year absence from the Olympic Games, it is fantastic to welcome the men's football squad to Team GB for London 2012. Representing your country at the Olympic Games is a very unique, special experience and I am sure this talented and determined group of men's footballers will play a full part as members of Team GB at our home Olympic Games. The squad selected possesses a good blend of youth and experience, with 16 of the 18 selected athletes playing their football at the very highest level in the Premier League last season. In Stuart Pearce they have an experienced and passionate manager and I am sure the younger players will learn a lot from their time with Team GB at the Olympic Games. Football fans from the across the UK are regarded worldwide as among the most passionate and knowledgeable supporters in the world and this summer offers a unique opportunity to get behind Team GB on home soil. I am confident that this famous vocal support will drive the young players on to produce many memorable and inspirational performances at the Olympic Games this summer.

Here's the squad in full: Goalkeepers Jack Butland (Birmingham) Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) Defenders Micah Richards (Man City) Craig Dawson (West Brom) James Tomkins (West Ham) Steven Caulker (Tottenham) Neil Taylor (Swansea) Midfielders Ryan Giggs (Man Utd) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Tom Cleverley (Man Utd) Joe Allen (Swansea) Jack Cork (Southampton) Danny Rose (Tottenham) Forwards Scott Sinclair (Swansea) Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea) Marvin Sordell (Bolton) What do you think Team GB fans? Does this selection make up for the lack of David Beckham? Share your thoughts below.