Samba Stars Surpass Team GB

Brazil   2            Team GB   0

                                    Sandro  12
                                    Neymar (pen) 35

It was always going to be a big ask for a team limited in international experience and brought together for a one off occasion to take on an ever developing young Brazil side, favourites to take the Olympic gold in three weeks’ time.

In the only warm up game before the tournament the Teesside crowd of 24,721 keenly awaited the chance to see some world class players on show including forwards Neymar and Hulk in a Brazil side full of tricks and talent. To the delight of the home fans Middlesbrough keeper Jason Steele started in goal for team GB raising the biggest applause in the team announcements along with captain Ryan Giggs.

As the game begun under the late evening sun there were encouraging signs in the opening five minutes for team GB as they controlled possession early on. However the pace and power on the break created to first opening of the game only for Santos striker Neymar to squander the opportunity from inside the area.

Neymar after adding Brazil's second from the spot

A cheap conceded free kick eight minutes later allowed Brazil chance to move ahead, when Neymar’s cross fooled the GB defenders who expected a shot, before Tottenham midfielder Sandro’s header beat Steele at the far post.

Still in a learning environment the crowd struggled to know how to support a newly formed team GB, missing the traditional band and singing of a home crowd but applauding Captain Giggs when he was on the ball. While Neymar’s efforts for a penalty triggered boos from the crowd as the forward lay in the area holding his face.  

From then on Brazil’s class and togetherness was one above their opponent’s with Chelsea transfer target Oscar running the show in midfield. Brazil’s second came courtesy of Hulk’s powerful run into the area once the forward shrugged off Micah Richards before drawing the foul and penalty from the Manchester City defender. Neymar then calmly converted the spot kick from twelve yards in the bottom right hand corner.  

    

Stuart Pearce made four changes at half time including a change of keeper in Birmingham’s Jack Butland, and the nineteen year old was forced straight into action when Oscar’s effort from range forced a dive to the right to keep the ball out.

Like the first half team GB struggled to create anything in the final third. However the hosts did produce their best move of the game ten minutes after the restart when some good build up play worked its way to Danny Rose whose low cross found Craig Bellamy in an offside position. Rose continued to be GB’s biggest threat going forward but the team still failed to create a clear cut chance.

Butland was the by far the busier keeper as he showed real potential for an international career first keeping out Neymar’s effort inside the area before brilliantly tipping substituted Alexandre Pato’s header over the bar.

Manger Pearce later said his team were lacking full fitness against one of the outstanding Olympic sides. Team GB now play their first group game against Senegal at Old Trafford on Thursday while Brazil, with all eighteen of their squad members having played at international level before, face Egypt at the Millennium Stadium.

Formidable Federer Keeps Murray Waiting

With the weight of a nation on his shoulders there was surely no greater burden in sport than the one carried by Andy Murray in his maiden Wimbledon final. But the matter is that Murray, ranked four in the world, is competing in an era containing three of the greatest players ever in tennis history including a certain Rodger Federer whose achievements of 4 Australian Open’s, 5 US Open’s a French Open and from today a 7^th Wimbledon title caps off without doubt the greatest career in the game.

Today the hype and anticipation of Murray being the first British man to reach the final since 1938 provided a brilliant atmosphere and optimism from the crowd around SW19 helping to produce a memorable final.

In a match where both players battled hard the class and experience of Federer at the key moments helped him recover from a set down him claim his 17^th Grand slam title with a score of 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 While for Murray his never ending wait for his first Slam continues after his fourth final defeat.    

   

A memorable final produced by quality tennis from both players

As the players emerged from the tunnel you couldn’t help remembering Murray’s slow starts in his previous slam finals. But to the disbelief of the crowd Federer was the first to blink, in a sloppy opening game by his standard giving an aggressive Murray an early break giving hope to the centre court fans.

However Federer has been in enough finals to know not to panic as he continuously read the Murray serve chipping it back deep to regain the service break. After not taking a set in his previous slam final Murray’s fight and determination was there for all to see as the Brit showed continued aggression in big moments on serve. Some uncharacteristic errors from his Swiss opponent handed Murray the chance to serve for the set which he didn’t pass up causing 15,000 people to rise from their seats.

Murray’s momentum advantage then continued in set two as Federer failed to capitalise on the Brit’s missed first serves. Murray’s aggressive play especially off the forehand wing continued to create chances forcing errors from Federer’s racket. However as four break points came and went for Murray, before Federer’s genius talent’s kicked in and a set at 6-5 which looked destined for a tie-break was quickly seized by the Swiss with an extraordinary back hand volley on set point.

As the dark clouds began to gather over centre court heavy rain forced the roof into action. And when the players resumed Federer, who is considered the greatest indoor player on the tour, was now the superior competitor.

The Swiss took advantage of Murray’s first serve dropping to 49% as he pounced in a marathon game five to seal the third sets only break. Murray took numerous heavy falls in the game nearly lasting twenty minutes which was finally taken on Federer’s sixth break point.

Murray gave his all throughout the match, but Federer had now re-found the form which saw him beat Novak Djokovic in Friday’s semi-final now making fewer errors than at the start. Murray’s tank looked empty as he was again broke in game five of the fourth set, with Federer now winning a majority of the base line exchanges.

The British number one had chances to claim break points back but Federer showed just why he had achieved so much in the sport as he claimed his first grand slam since the 2010 Australian Open. Murray’s tearful interview after the match showed just how much the game means to him while deserved winner Federer praised the Brits efforts saying “he will definitely win at least one Grand Slam”

The players will now turn their attention to the Olympic tournament in two weeks’ time with a unique opportunity to win a gold medal. 

Murray Beats The Clock To Reach Second Week

As the clock struck 11:00 Andy Murray was granted one more game to book his place in to the second week of Wimbledon preventing the prospect of playing three days in a row from Monday. The closing of the roof allowed the match to continue when light faded at one set all, but rules state play must stop at 11:00 for public safety reasons enforced by the local authority.

With this in mind Murray urgently raced through the fourth set in a nervous race against the clock providing more nail-biting under the roof of centre court. But in the end Murray was able to stretch the deadline to finally prevail at 11:02 against Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus with a score of 7-5 3-6 7-5 6-1.

In windy conditions both players were a little cautious in the early exchanges, trying to adjust to the situation. However early on Baghdatis was the player trying to take the initiative while showing good skills at the net, as the Cypriote claimed the first break points of the match in game eight.

Murray Found His Best Tennis At The Right Times 

But a bold drop shot followed by a forehand pass which just clipped the line from Murray kept an inspired opponent at bay. The British number one was then able to raise his game at the end of the first set when locked a 5-5 as a couple of errors from Baghdatis ultimately cost him the opening set.

Baghdatis, who is now coached by Murray’s former coach Miles Maclagan, started the second set striking the ball well looking to be aggressive. But Murray showed just why he is one of the best in the world soaking up the pressure to claim an early break in the second and everything was all going to plan.

However Baghdatis was relishing the big occasion and a sloppy game from Murray allowed his opponent to break straight back as the momentum quickly shifted. Baghdatis continued to take the ball as he controlled a majority of the points as Murray’s frustration was clear to see losing four games on the spin to trail 5-2. Baghdatis then showed no nerves as he calmly levelled the match, before the roof was closed at 9:00 with the looming prospect of the match running over to the second week.

As the players remerged at 9:35 it was the Cypriote who returned with giant grin across his face to the electric atmosphere on centre court. Murray immediately looked a changed player under the roof serving better from the start. However Baghdatis was not going away easily and after the Brit missed his chances to break the world number 42 was quick to pounce outmuscling Murray to lead 4-2.

At this point the shock result was starting to look a reality. But helped by errors creeping into his opponent’s game Murray was able to increase his intensity and play the tennis we have come to expect from a world number four. After reclaiming the break Murray was forced to show strong character to save double break points at 5-5 before the British number one turned the set sealing another break of serve and a vital third set to the roar of the crowd.

With only twenty five minutes of playing time remaining the Brit’s attention turned to the clock, as Murray spurred on by an audience desperate to see the conclusion produced some of his better offensive tennis securing multiple breaks against a fading opponent.

Murray’s now earns a well-deserved day off before he retakes to the court on Monday to face Croatian Marin Cilic who came through his own marathon finally beating Sam Querrey 17-15 in the fifth.