Stuttering Defeat

Olympic exit for Team GB

It's been a good day  for the host nation with the latest batch of Olympic events. The mens rowing team of Reed, Triggs-Hodge, James and Gregory won the gold that put Great Britain into third place on the overall medals league table. Elsewhere, poster girl Jessica Ennis won the Heptathlon gold, and mixed tennis doubles partners Andy Murray, and 18-year old Laura Roberts beat the German pair and advance to the final, guaranteeing at least a silver - to couple with Murray's guaranteed silver in the single's tournament.

With the Olympics in full swing, and with Great Britain performing well, it would remain to be seen if the country's Olympic footballing talent would follow in the footsteps of those in other events. Team GB Women's team had already been knocked out on Friday by Canada, but the efforts of Jill Scott, Steph Houghton and the rest of Hope Powell's squad helped to put Women's football on the English map, and give much needed exposure to a much neglected side of the beautiful game. Team GB Men's also made it through to the quarter finals, after a surprising victory over Uruguay put them top of the group - and lead them into a clash against South Korea. 

It wouldn't be going too far to say that  Team GB did well to earn a draw in normal time about the South Koreans - with Aaron Ramsey's first penalty (the second, a few minutes later, being saved) equalising Sunderland striker Ji Dong-Won's earlier opener. Neither team managed to break the deadlock, and it head into extra time - and then, the dreaded lottery of the penalty shootout. The first four penalties from both sides in the shootout went in without issue, and it began to look like sudden death would have to separate the two sides. And up step's Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge. The young striker was disappointed not to be selected in the England squad for Euro 2012, and later fought for fitness following a diagnosis of Viral Meningitis. The striker, 22, was often played on the wing for his club - although he believes he is better suited to a more central role.

And this game, so fiercely locked, offered him the chance to try and push his country into contention for a medal. Sturridge had already scored in the 3-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates, and also in the 1-0 victory over Uruguay that put them top of the group. But neither strike would prove to be as important as the fifth penalty against South Korea. However, for reasons known only to him, Sturridge decided to stutter his penalty - pausing his run slightly before taking his kick. The technique was likely intended to trick the opposition goalkeeper into diving early, thus making the eventual kick all the easier. However, it only resulted in the South Korean goalkeeper being able to more accurately guess the direction of the spot kick, and pull off an easy save. The final opposition penalty went in - despite the best efforts of young Goalkeeper Jack Butland - and Great Britain were knocked out of the tournament.

Sturridge, who stormed off the pitch quickly after his over-exuberance cost his side the match and a place in the semi-finals against Brazil, has been linked with a move away from Chelsea - with London rivals Tottenham the most likely destination. With the signings of Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Oscar, as well as  potential new signings including Andre Schurrle and Hulk -  Sturridge will face fierce competition at his club, even if he resigns to play on the wing. The Birmingham man may well move away from Chelsea this summer, in search of a team where he can lead the line, and prove to many that he has a talent in that central role to match his attitude.