• London Olympics 2012

Team GB to face Brazil in London 2012 warm-up

ESPN staff
April 26, 2012
Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell will prepare Team GB for a double-header on July 20 © PA Photos
Enlarge

The first match by a Great Britain men's team for 41 years will be an Olympic warm-up game against Brazil in Middlesbrough on July 20.

The Football Association has confirmed Stuart Pearce's Great Britain side will take on Brazil - among the tournament favourites - as part of a double-header that will see the women's side, coached by Hope Powell, taking on Sweden.

A Great Britain team last played an international in an Olympic qualifier against Bulgaria in 1971, and have not played in an actual Games since 1960.

Pearce said: "I've learned a great deal about the Olympics since I was given the opportunity to lead this team and I realise just how massive an event it is going to be for the whole of Great Britain.

"In world football they don't come much bigger than Brazil and it should be a terrific occasion for us going into our first match. I think particularly with the Brazilian connections on Teesside it will be a terrific turnout again come July."

Team GB women, whose game will kick off prior to the men's, are competing at their first Olympics and Powell said: "Sweden are a strong side and we want that challenge to be ready for July 25 when the Olympics begins for us.

"It is a huge opportunity, both in this country and worldwide, to showcase women's football to a bigger audience and grow the game."

It is the first men's and women's international double header since 1989 when England women played Sweden and Sir Bobby Robson's England took on Chile at Wembley.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices