Number Olympic Hockey
5
winners Seoul 1988
Great Britain have always been a good
hockey team, but have rarely been able to
compete with the Asian nations and the
might of Australia, Germany and Holland. In 1988 they entered the
Olympics confident but without faith from the public that they could
win. The team had been together for a while and there were some
promising results with bronze 4 years earlier.
A comfortable route through the group stages and several goals
for man of the moment Sean Kerly led to a semi-final place against
the awesome Australians. 2 goals from Kerly made things look
comfortable but the Aussies weren’t done as they pulled them
back. Kerly wouldn’t let it lie though and finished off the game and
his hat-trick.
The final was against West Germany (this was when Germany was
split before the Berlin wall came down). There was some dazzling
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dribbling from Steve Bachelor, 2 goals from Imran Shirwani and of
course one from Kerly. Before we knew it Britain were 3-0 up and
ym
pic Games. Wh on their way to Olympic gold.
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etball is a team spor
not in the Ol roup “Where was the West German
do you think it isn’t? Do you
think it should be? If so join
the bid at
defence and, quite frankly, who
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acebook.com/g
0564820406 .
cares?” (BBC commentator 1988)
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What mak
Number Ashes cricket
team? Discuss thees a g
attributes req
reat
4
team 2005
a team to be successful
uired f
o
r
English cricket had been very ordinary for a
long time. In 2005 it had been 18 years
since they had last won the Ashes – the bi-
annual 5 match test series against Australia. The problem was that
although England were a decent side they just couldn’t compete
against the might of the world’s best cricket team.
2005 proved to be different though. With Andrew Flintoff and
Kevin Peterson they had two of the best players around at the
height of their powers, as well as the number 1 bowler in Steve
Harmison. Something strange was happening, The England
cricket team were going into the series believing that they might
have a chance!
England fans groaned as the first test ended in a depressingly
familiar defeat, with Aussie bowler Glen McGrath destroying the
batting and their own strolling to victory. The second test was
different though. England batted superbly and looked like winning
easily, with Australia needing 120 from their last 2 wickets. The
groans began again as England failed to get the last wicket, but
with only 2 runs to spare the game was won.
The next game was an exciting draw and then England won the
4th test fairly easily. A tense last game ended in a draw and
England had done the impossible, beaten Australia.
SEPTEMBER 2008 : SPORT IQ 14-16 59