Monday, 1 June 2009

Team GB


Should I try to be less controversial today?

I reckon I got a taste of what it is like to be a non-Nat in the blogosphere at the weekend and I have much more respect for those opposing voices now. Apparently nothing critical of the SNP Government will be allowed in an independent Scotland.

Anyway, I see Sepp Blatter has approved the "Team England" for the 2012 Olympics. That'll help the US commentators, who seem to confuse "England" and "Britain" anyway.

Although this is being touted as an "ideal solution" I really don't think it is. Mind you, a number of teams at various Olympic events have been made up specifically of athletes from a single component part of the UK - curling, rowing, cycling, sailing etc. So it is not without precedent. But this is slightly different. I wonder - are proponents and opponents of the idea happy with this fudged solution?

9 comments:

James 1 June 2009 at 10:57  

How dare you imply that criticism isn't tolerated?!

(I kid, I kid)

Anonymous,  1 June 2009 at 11:07  

At the beginning i was never in favour of at team GB football team because it could have undermined the independence of each of the home nations football associations, well that was what we were being told.

I think its also a myth that it was just pro SNP supporters that were against the idea, acutely far from it.

I always held the view if having a team GB football team at the Olympics doesn't affect the status of the home nations then i don't have a problem with it.

Ive played for Scotland 5 times in the British university soccer association (busa) finals (we lost 1-0 to England this year) and on 2 occasions played for a British select side which comprised of the best players from the home nations.

I was proud to play in the British side, not because im all things union jack but just playing at a slightly higher level was a bit of a buzz.

For me having a team GB is okay at the Olympics but i wont be over excited about it if they win. I love sport and in particular football but i admit the Olympics fail to excite me, if anything i stop watching them after the opening ceremony.

Duncan,  1 June 2009 at 12:00  

Re your last post, all valid, reasonable points from the nats as far as I could see - I'm thinking maybe it's your good self who isn't too keen on the criticism? ;)

Malc 1 June 2009 at 16:06  

James,

Thanks. I think humour is still permisable, but I'll refer your comment to the Department of Killjoys for moderation.

Malc 1 June 2009 at 16:09  

AMW,

I'm not immune to that argument. But what next - playing for an EU XI at the Olympics? And why not... it would be the next level up.

I understand being chosen to represent Britain - as there are more to select from - represents a larger achievement (being the best of 60m instead of 5m). But I guess if our own national side is threatened by it then it should be KO'd.

Malc 1 June 2009 at 16:17  

Duncan,

See the points made under comment 18 and 19 in the previous post.

Though I'll take on board your point. Perhaps I'm a bit hasty in tarring them all with the "Cyber-Nat" brush.

Anonymous,  1 June 2009 at 23:07  

Malc

Im not saying im in favour of a team GB even though we now know it wont affect the home nations football federations. All im saying is i cant find it in myself to get excited about GB in any tournament, well unless im playing in it!!!

JRH,  2 June 2009 at 11:55  

What gives Scotland the right to a national football team anyway? It's not a sovereign nation, and doesn't seem to want to be, according to opinion polls.

Surely Scotland must decide either to commit to GB, get behind it, or get the hell out.

Malc 2 June 2009 at 15:18  

JRH,

You mean apart from being a founder nation? And competing in the first ever football international?

And in response to your second point, "getting the hell out" was what the SFA have been trying to do with Team GB - and this seems to be the way they have achieved it.

As for Scotland and the Union, well, that remains to be seen.

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