When a team’s hopes of being crowned Olympic champion are shattered by one of their oldest rivals, it may sound a little silly to say that they can take the heart of their achievements – but Team GB really can.
Hege Riise’s side dominated for large parts of their quarter-final match against Australia on Friday, and were it not for a little rotten luck and a bit as nice goalkeeper from Teagan Micah, they would still be with a shot from a podium.
Team GB is eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Olympics. ❌
They gave everything and came so close thanks to an Ellen White hat trick but it would not be.
Well played @TeamGB! ? #TeamGB | #NationalLottery | # Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/ZctvkJ40Yk
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) July 30, 2021
It was one of those matches where luck did not seem to be on their side, where Rachel Daly and Keira Walsh were both desperately unlucky to see their respective efforts come back from the woodwork and Mary Fowler’s extra time goal came via a big deflection from Lucy Bronze.
It will of course be a few days of disappointment and thoughts about what could have been, but when the dust has settled, Team GB can be proud of their efforts. And no player deserves to keep his head higher than Ellen White.
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July 24, 2021
The Manchester City forward found himself eating leftovers in the early stages of the clash with Australia and then sank deeper and deeper into midfield in an attempt to influence procedures.
Because she played so deep, White did not find herself able to reach a great post from Kim Little late in the first half, and it was a clear light bulb when she realized that her team needed her to lead the line where she sees her most impressive.
The second half was a completely different story. This time when the ball was delivered into the box – with clubmate Lauren Hemp as the supplier on this occasion – White was exactly where she needed to be, and the beautiful head she brought out to arrow the ball into the far corner was nothing but the world. class.
With the score locked to 1-1, Team GB looked again at their top goal threat to lead, and White’s perseverance and fighting in the penalty area saw her win a flick-on before City-forward reacted first to crush the ball beyond Micah takes his second in the game .
Ellen White did not deserve to be on the losing side against Australia / Atsushi Tomura / Getty Images
From then on, everything fell apart for Riise’s accusations, with some sloppy defense that gave the deadly forward Sam Kerr the opportunity to restore equality for Australia with just a minute of normal time to play – a chance she never seemed to miss.
With both sides forced to endure the extra time extension, White continued the fight, charging around the top end of the field in search of some loose touch from the Australian backline, then pulling his team-mates up the pitch.
The chances were few and far between the Team GB forward during the first extra period, and Riise’s side was hit with a hammer blow with only a few minutes of the first period left.
After Caroline Weir had seen her penalty away by Micah, Australia beat everyone twice but ended the game as a contest thanks to goals from Mary Fowler and the unstoppable Kerr.
GOAL! #TeamGB is level! It’s Ellen White with the goal!
GB 1-1 Australia, with 60 minutes played in the quarterfinals.
? Watch: https://t.co/DERrLk1ACR#bbcolympics # Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/PYo0A1z0D2
– BBC Sport (@BBCSport) 30 July 2021
But that would not be the end. White was in no mood to see her campaign end with a whine and her hat-trick goal five minutes from time gave hope that the roller coaster in a quarter-final could have one last turn forward.
Unfortunately, that was not the case, with White and her teammates leaving the crests at the full-time whistle, clearing and confusing as much about how they had managed to lose a game that seemed to be in the palm of their hand.
We all know that football is not fair sometimes, but that does not mean that Team GB should be disappointed with their performance during this summer’s tournament, and one day Ellen White in particular will be able to look back on her campaign with enormous pride.
