The once in a lifetime event truly delivered. Even though i didn't get any Olympic tickets, it was still an amazing experience to have the Olympics in your home city. I was able to attend two events- the men's road race and marathon- and both were brilliant to watch. For all the criticism thrown their way, in my opinion, LOCOG and Sebastian Coe did a fantastic job. The home Olympics has ignited a passion among the British public for minor sports that hopefully can be maintained. This will be the key feature in deciding in the future whether the huge expenditure on the games was worth it. It would be horrible if the venues turn out to be white elephants- indeed, the Basketball arena is one which will be dismantled. The benefits of sport participation among the population are well known and it will be interesting to see if David Cameron follows up on his promise to keep up his investment in sport.
On to the actual sporting achievements, the medal haul of 65 was sensational.UK sport did set optimistic targets, but the team hit them. And the scary thing is it could have been even better- Dai Greene, Phillips Idowu and Mark Cavendish were just some of the big names who failed to win a medal. A total of 29 Golds was a fantastic return, and 3rd in the medal table was also a great achievement. It was also fantastic to watch superb performances from foreign athletes. Mainly, Usain Bolt, who again won three gold medals. it was also another Olympics, more gold medals for Michael Phelps, making himself the greatest Olympian of all time. I thoroughly enjoyed the athletics in particular, and will look forward to the 2013 world championships in Moscow.
England 2-1 Italy (Jagielka 27, Defoe 80) (De Rossi 15)
However, despite the great sporting event it was, I am hugely excited for the new premier league season and this was only ignited by the midweek friendly between England and Italy. Club managers must hate having a 'meaningless' international friendly only a few days before the season starts, but i for one think that its a valuable opportunity to have a look at new players and Roy Hodgson proved that by handing debuts to Tom Cleverley, Ryan Bertrand, Jake Livermore and the two keepers, Ruddy and Jack Butland. Inspired by the return of the excellent Michael Carrick, England kept the ball far better than I've seen for quite a while.
The assuredness in possession of the midfield trio Carrick, Cleverley and skipper Frank Lampard was great to see. It also marked a change from the rigid 4-4-2 we saw in the Euros. It was a fluid England, and one that was very easy on the eye. A criticism of the game on the whole would be the half empty stadium. Why was it played in Switzerland anyway? Apparently it was because Wembley was still unable to be used after the Olympics- then why not another stadium in England? Or even switch it to Italy, I see no reason to play international friendlies on neutral grounds. Another complaint from many was it was England 'B' Vs Italy 'B'. True enough, in the starting XI only Ashley Young started the Euro 2012 quarter final. (although both Lescott and James Milner came on). But yes, both sides played experimental sides. On to the actual game, it was fairly exciting without ever being compelling viewing. It wasn't great to see us concede from a set piece, although to be fair to De Rossi his header was perfectly timed. But if it really was a 'meaningless' friendly, no one had told Phil Jagielka, who really put his head in it to reach Lampard's superb corner. As the match went on England became more confident, and sub Jermain Defoe sealed the win with a great finish.
Player Ratings
Jack Butland (Ruddy 46) Didn't really look himself on his England debut. Butland's incredible rise from league two to England squad needs some consolidation. He isn't quite experienced enough yet to play in goal for England, and I would leave him out of the next few squads. It would do him good to go back to Birmingham and concentrate on that before he thinks about England again. Rating: 5/10
Kyle Walker The Tottenham man is the long term right back in Hodgson's plans, but I would still prefer Glen Johnson based on this showing. Clearly talented, his inexperience at this level caused him to lose possession on quite a few occasions. But he has plenty of time on his side. Rating 6/10
Gary Cahill How he must rue the fractured jaw which was triggered by a needless push from the Belgium winger Dries Mertens in the friendly before the Euros. It is doubtful whether John Terry will be a regular in two years time, so Cahill will presumably start the 2014 World Cup as one of the CB's. Continued his solid reputation with a decent display against Italy. Rating 6/10
Phil Jagielka (Lescott 61) Showed great courage for his goal but didn't really show anything we didn't know already. Rating 7/10
Leighton Baines (Bertrand 78) Didn't really do much as Italy preferred attacking Kyle Walker through El Shaarawy, so his defending was limited. In limbo as Ashley Cole doesn't show any sign of slowing down. Rating 6/10
Michael Carrick Superb, constantly creating space for others and was sharp in his passing. His ball distribution talents make a mockery of the long ball we've had to endure for so long. He even got given the armband when Lampard got taken off- as he was the most experienced player left on the pitch despite two years in the international wilderness. I pray that Hodgson keeps faith with him for the qualifiers. Rating 8/10 (my man of the match)
Frank Lampard (Livermore 69) Yet again proving the critics wrong regarding his age. It is ridiculous to suggest Lampard is past it and him and his old West Ham colleague Carrick controlled the tempo of the match brilliantly. Please keep with this midfield paring instead of Gerrard and Parker. Rating 8/10
Adam Johnson An enigma, and yet again left everyone wanting more. A couple of great tricks and passes, but then it was back to Hollywood balls to nowhere and non existent tracking back. But he provides something that so few Englishmen have: flair and creativity. But if he is to advance his England career, he
must leave Man City soon. Rating 6/10
Tom Cleverley Impressed on his debut. Passed the ball well and linked up well with both flanks. It was interesting to see him employed in an advanced role when it is unlikely he will play much in that role for United this season. Rating 7/10
Ashley Young (Milner 61) A couple of dangerous moments, but all in all a quiet game for the winger. He will probably remain the first choice winger if he doesn't have a dramatic drop of from. Rating 6/10
Andy Carroll (Defoe 46) Was hampered as both Young and Johnson decided to cut inside rather than cross. Was decent enough with the ball at his feet, but needed to trouble the defenders a little more. Rating 6/10
Subs- John Ruddy Made a good save down low at his near post and should really be ahead of Butland in the pecking order. Rating 6/10
Jermain Defoe A lovely finish late on, but Defoe is unlikely to start many games for England in the qualifying campaign. Should make a lot of the squads though, as he is a great goalscorer and currently is guaranteed a start for a club which hasn't always been able to give him first team football week-in, week out. Rating 8/10
Joleon Lescott Will hope to be alongside Terry for the qualifying internationals in a months time. Didn't really show much against Italy, though. Rating 6/10
James Milner Is always going to make the squad due to his versatility and fired a couple of great crosses in late on. It will be fascinating to see where he will play for City this year- if Mancini does persist with 3 at the back, Milner could replicate his Community Shield role as a right wing back. Rating 7/10
Ryan Bertrand Made his debut, cleared off the line to start the move that led to Defoe's strike. Rating 6/10
Jake Livermore Was on the pitch for 21 minutes, but i didn't really notice and was surprised he was selected to begin with. Could revel in a 4-3-3 if Villas Boas goes with 3 out and out central midfielders. Rating 6/10
Overall, the team won a match against one of the top football nations, which i quite rare in any case. Regardless of the importance of the match, a great start for Roy to build on in qualifying. Team rating: 7/10
Thanks for reading, Adam.
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