Olympic international friendlies to be held at Villa Park?

[Dave]

Didn't we pass up the opportunity to be an Olympic venue to complete ground redevelopments (which, presumably, are no longer going to take place)?

So, that's pre-Olympics matches - instead of being an Olympic venue - for a tournament that most people on here seem to think shouldn't even find a place for football. Forgive me while I don't get too excited (winky face emoticon).

Yeah but if this happens, we would actually get to see Team GB playing at Villa Park.

This wouldn't have happened if we were an Olympic football venue.

So it's the pointless warm-up for the thing that nobody really cares about?

And they've chosen US! How exciting.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Didn't we pass up the opportunity to be an Olympic venue to complete ground redevelopments (which, presumably, are no longer going to take place)?

So, that's pre-Olympics matches - instead of being an Olympic venue - for a tournament that most people on here seem to think shouldn't even find a place for football. Forgive me while I don't get too excited (winky face emoticon).

Yeah but if this happens, we would actually get to see Team GB playing at Villa Park.

This wouldn't have happened if we were an Olympic football venue.

So it's the pointless warm-up for the thing that nobody really cares about?

And they've chosen US! How exciting.

Team GB playing at Villa Park would be pretty exciting yes.

Closest were gonna get to having England playing at Villa Park...

[saunders_heroes]

We turned down the chance to stage Olympic football at Villa Park because we had building plans, but now we're looking at playing warm up matches.
Talk about a come down.

[PeterWithesShin]

Going off topic, prompted by the thought that the GB Team will mostly be U21's from England.

When was the last time the Midlands hosted a U21 game? 

There was the England v Wales play off game at VP a couple or three years ago. No idea if there has been one since though.

[philthebar]

No professional sportsperson should take part in the Olymics - in any sport.

[Dave Cooper please]

What the fuck is this 'Team GB' shite all about anyway?
Is Great Britain not good enough or something?

[Pete3206]

Too right Chas. Team GB? Fuck off.

[Leighton]

Not often I do, but this time I agree with Arsene.

[eamonn]

Isn't football at the Olympics for Under 23's?

[taylorsworkrate]

Isn't football at the Olympics for Under 23's?

Yep, but teams are allowed to pick 3 players over 23.

[The Laughing Policeman]

No professional sportsperson should take part in the Olymics - in any sport.

In that case there'll be no more Olympics. All the athletes taking part are paid in some way or another.
In the case of the British team they are all paid for by the taxpayer and National Lottery players through UK Athletics and the other ruling bodies.

[philthebar]

No professional sportsperson should take part in the Olymics - in any sport.

In that case there'll be no more Olympics. All the athletes taking part are paid in some way or another.
In the case of the British team they are all paid for by the taxpayer and National Lottery players through UK Athletics and the other ruling bodies.

I know - and so be it - it used to be a celebration of sport for amateurs, now it's just another competition for professionals where winning is the goal, not the taking part. As you say, paid for by the lottery and taxpayers.

Then we have the building of White Elephants, the rules of the sponsors forbidding you taking in food and drink.

I could go on, but wont.

Waste of time and money.  Scrap it.

[Brend'Watkins]

What the fuck is this 'Team GB' shite all about anyway?

You wont be saying that if 'Team GB' gold medal.

[olaftab]

Initial reason for not selecting VP for actual competition games was some reconstruction plan. Has that gone away?

[UK Redsox]

Olympic World Cup football is a grotesque money making abomination. I shall not be lining the pockets of the Olympic Committee moneymen.

Its not just the Football, its the Olympics as a whole. Its just a random set of sports and non-sports grouped together in one place over a two week period. I really don't understand why it gets so much attention.