olympic football

[Leonard Rossiter]

I went to watch Senegal V Oman for an olympic qualifying match last night at the Ricoh Arena.
(it was suprisingly entertaining as neither team could pass for sh!t but took crazy attacking chances).

I noticed that the pitch had been re-marked and was approx 4 feet longer at each end...anyone know why? my kids asked me and I didnt know so just said "its to complicated to explain now"

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

By Steve Carpenter 22/03 Updated: 28/03 09:24

Buy photos [COLOR=#CA1313 !important]» Grounds manager John Ledwidge is in charge of the pitch at the City of Coventry Stadium for London 2012. (s)

GROUNDS staff at the Ricoh are doubling their numbers to prepare the pitch for the Men’s Olympic Qualification Play-off Match.
Senegal have already confirmed their place in the match on April 23 at 7.45pm when they will play either Oman, Syria or Uzbekistan from the Asian qualifying group.
And grounds manager John Ledwidge is leading the 20-strong staff who will be sprinting into action as soon as the final whistle is blown on the Sky Blues’ home campaign against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, April 21.
The team has just over 48 hours to prepare the surface which will see the pitch extended to fall in line with all the other stadiums where the Olympic football tournament is taking place.
John and his team will be aided by a group of volunteers from Foxford School in Coventry who are being trained on replacing divots correctly.
"The students from Foxford School will be a big help. Before the qualifier takes place, they will have been to Coventry City matches to learn the process of replacing divots and how to conduct themselves because it can be daunting doing that in front of thousands of people," he said.
"We are all really looking forward to it and we are proud to be involved in the first Olympic competition in the city."
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Read more: Football event to test grounds staff | Coventry Observer ​

 

[Leonard Rossiter]

Thank you sir for your prompt, informative and completely serious response. I am appropriately educated as a result.

 

[ijjysmith]

Men's draw - GB, Senegal, Uruguay, UAE
Women's draw - GB, Brazil, Cameroon, NZ

BBC football pundit Garth Crooks says: "I'm loathe to say it's an easy group - but it's an easy group. Senegal just qualified and they'll be very excited that they'll be playing against the likes of David Beckham, Gareth Bale, possibly Craig Bellamy so you can't take them lightly. The dynamic changes if Uruguay field their big names."

 

[bluejock]

Men's draw - GB, Senegal, Uruguay, UAE
Women's draw - GB, Brazil, Cameroon, NZ

BBC football pundit Garth Crooks says: "I'm loathe to say it's an easy group - but it's an easy group. Senegal just qualified and they'll be very excited that they'll be playing against the likes of David Beckham, Gareth Bale, possibly Craig Bellamy so you can't take them lightly. The dynamic changes if Uruguay field their big names."

And if Senegal pick Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse?

Silly boy Garth.

 

[Baines' left foot]

I don't think that's a particularly easy group at all Mr. Crooks.

 

[Tubey]

I actually have Senegal and Uruguay as faves to get out of that group. GB will have to play very well with their makeshift side including people who don't actually want to be there to do anything in that tournament.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

Hopes that GB play Uruguay at O.T. so that the Sewer Rat with the teeth will get booed out.

 

[Allezfan]

I'm going to be at Gabon vs Switzerland, Spain vs Honduras and Brazil vs New Zealand. Quite Excited.

 

[Allezfan]

Hopes that GB play Uruguay at O.T. so that the Sewer Rat with the teeth will get booed out.

It'll be at Cardiff so if he gets selected (which he won't as they always play the under 23s at the olympics) he probably will be booed.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

I'm going to be at Gabon vs Switzerland, Spain vs Honduras and Brazil vs New Zealand. Quite Excited.

Have all the tickets been sold or haven't some been held back ? as in quite a big % held back.

 

[Allezfan]

Have all the tickets been sold or haven't some been held back ? as in quite a big % held back.

Dunno mate. Wasn't me who bought them. I just gave my money to a mate.

This was way before qualifying was finished too. We just picked three kick off times at the nearest stadium.

 

[ijjysmith]

Seems as though my mate has some Olympic tickets he doesn't want so i'm gonna pick them up

Not sure what games but i'll be quite excited.

 

[Leonard Rossiter]

gotta be honest, the Senegal team I saw last night were sh!te. enetertaining but sh!te. every player seemed to have a bad first touch, every other pass was intecepted and the tackling was woeful. I watched as they leapt for every high ball knowing they would be miles off connecting with the head. Their best player last night was the goalie and that was because of his crazy antics outside of the area.
HOWEVER, it was a fun game to watch as Oman were just as bad.
difficult to tell how much of a challeng senegal will really be for GB as we dont know the GB team.

one little edit - can a club decide how big its pitch can be then or are there rules? keep hearing about the wide open spaces of camp nou.....

 

[tommye]

will Nik refuse to support GB because they're not all English?