I flew home from Chile on March 1st after watching Great Britain beat Mexico 11-0.  A difficult game to watch, as I obviously wanted to be playing, and we managed to miss enough chances that we could have realistically won 20-0.  The perfect start to the tournament for the team non-the less.

A small consolation for Niall Stott (the other travelling reserve) and I was that we got to fly home via Miami, where we had 12hrs to investigate the sights of South beach.  I would definitely go back again.

While we were in the air on our way home GB played Russia and recorded another convincing victory, winning 8-0.  Two good results, but very much expected, as tougher tests lay ahead from hosts Chile, 4th ranked Austria and the 8 time Olympic champions and joint favourites India.

Chile were next and after a disappointing 1-0 victory over them in the pre-tournament friendly, the team lifted their game and produced a much better performance to win 4-1. 

The toughest game was the group match v India, both sides had won all three previous matches and a victory for either side could give a crucial psychological edge for the final on the 9th March, where the sides expected to meet again.  India took the lead but GB fought back to eventually win the game 3-2 and top the group. 

A 4-0 victory over Austria for GB in their final group game and a win for India over Chile in their final game meant that the sides would now meet in the final for the winner takes all match.

The game was on BBC interactive and I nervously sat on my couch to see whether the team and I would have a chance to play in Beijing.  Two early goals from Barry Middleton and Richard Mantell were enough to win the match and qualify GB for the Beijing Olympic Games!

The team made the game look comfortable in the end, but you could see the relief for all the players and staff at the final whistle.

I played for my club team while back home and enjoyed getting some valuable match practice and improving my match fitness.  After a week off for the players who played in the qualifier we have started training at Bisham Abbey again 3 days a week. 

I am delighted that we have qualified and am looking forward to the challenges ahead and trying to get selected for the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Results March
GB 11 v 0 Mexico
GB 8 v 0 Russia
GB 4 v 1 Chile
GB 3 v 2 India
GB 4 v 0 Austria
GB 2 v 0 India (Qualified for Beijing)

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Graham is supported by the Scottish Institute of Sport.  See his profile by clicking here.