DPA/London
Ryan Giggs has won everything there is to win with his club Manchester United, but the Olympics offer him a chance to end his career with a crowning glory. The 38-year-old has been named as one of the three over-aged players in Stuart Pearce’s Team GB, which starts their men’s Olympic football campaign in Gigg’s backyard - Manchester’s Old Trafford - against Senegal today. Giggs, who captains the side, can’t wait for the tournament to start. “Obviously I did not get to a major tournament with Wales, so I am very pleased to have been given this opportunity so late in my career,” he said. “Being picked for the team was great, but to be named captain is even better. Hopefully we can do well and set the standard.” Team GB, who make their first appearance at the Olympics since 1960, have received a favourable draw as they face Senegal, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates in group A. An even easier path into the quarter-finals should await Brazil, who are desperately seeking the only championship win still eluding them in a major footballing competition. Led by defender Thiago Mota, as well as strikers Neymar and Hulk, the Selecao take on Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand in group C. They suffered a set-back on Tuesday as goalkeeper Rafael had to withdraw after picking up an injury during practice. The Santos keeper said that although he had continued training, the situation worsened later. “It’s hard to try to explain why things like this happen. But I’d like to think that it all happens for a reason and I will overcome all of this in the end.” Brazil will face a tough challenge for the gold medal though from Spain, who, in Jordi Alba, Javi Martinez and Juan Mata have three players who were in the La Roja’s Euro-winning side. The Spaniards were drawn into group D together with Japan, Honduras and Morocco. The final group sees Mexico, Gabon, Switzerland and South Korea compete for two places in the quarter-finals. As has been the case in the past, there has been some controversy with players not being allowed to compete at the Olympics by their clubs. Senegal had two players turned down for one of the three over-aged players. Copenhagen refused to release Dame Ndoye, while Newcastle said no to Papiss Cisse joining the team. Newcastle’s Alan Pardew told journalists that he felt for the player. “As much as I feel for Papiss, because I am sure he would have wanted to play, but we have to make a call for his own health. “He had a full first half in Germany, he had the African Nations Cup, he had the second half of the season in his first year in the Premier League. “He then had qualifying games, they want him again for the African Nations and they wanted him for the Olympics, and that was stretching it a little bit.” Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson put a stop to Javier Hernandez’s hopes of playing for Mexico, while French club Lorient refused to allow Gabon’s Bruno Ecuele-Manga to make the trip. Also not playing in the tournament is David Beckham.