Team GB announce women's football squad for Tokyo 2020
The stage is set for Great Britain's participation in Tokyo, with 2020 Best FIFA Women's Player Lucy Bronze, England captain Steph Houghton and Wales captain Sophie Ingles all selected for the Olympic Games.
Football
Great Britain have announced their women's football squad to take part in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021. Five of the players are veterans of the London 2012 Olympics, where the team reached the quarter-finals of the competition before losing out to Canada.
Man City's 2020 Best Fifa Women's Player award winner, Lucy Bronze will take part in her first Olympic Games, as part of an 18-strong squad that includes 11 players from the Manchester club. UEFA Champions League finalists Chelsea will also be strongly represented, with Sophie Ingle, Fran Kirby and Millie Bright all making the cut.
It will be only the second time Team GB have fielded a women's team in the Olympic football tournament, the first being their home Games in 2012.
Two captains chosen for summer showdown in Japan
Olympic Champion Hege Riise has opted for a mix of experience and youthful talent, with England captain Steph Houghton and Wales captain Sophie Ingle both named in the squad.
The youngest player chosen, 22-year-old Lauren Hemp of Manchester City, will be joined by thirteen Olympic debutants hoping to make their mark in Tokyo.
Head Coach Riise, winner of an Olympic gold medal with Norway at the Sydney 2000 Games, said: “I know first-hand as a former player just how proud my players will feel today at having been selected to represent Great Britain.
"There is no greater sporting occasion in the world and I am honoured to lead this hugely talented team into the Games. We will go there aiming to win and we will give everything we have to achieve success.”
The Tokyo 2020 women's Olympic football tournament takes place between 21 July and 6 August 2021.
Full Team GB squad
Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley, (Man City and England), Ellie Roebuck (Man City and England)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Man City and England), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash and England), Steph Houghton (Man City and England), Demi Stokes (Man City and England), Leah Williamson (Arsenal and England)
Midfielders: Sophie Ingle (Chelsea and Wales), Kim Little (Arsenal and Scotland), Jill Scott (Man City and England), Keira Walsh (Man City and England), Caroline Weir (Man City and Scotland)
Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Man City and England), Fran Kirby (Chelsea and England), Nikita Parris (Lyon and England), Georgia Stanway (Man City and England), Ellen White (Man City and England)
Reserves: Sandy MacIver (Everton and England), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal and England), Niamh Charles (Chelsea and England), Ella Toone (Man Utd and England)