Argentina up first for GB (From Daily Echo)

Argentina up first for GB

11:51am Tuesday 22nd May 2012 in General Sport

Great Britain men's hockey team will open their Olympic campaign against Argentina on July 30 at the Riverbank Arena.

The South American nation found themselves at the centre of a political storm earlier this month because of a television advert which showed defender Fernando Zylberberg training on the Falklands Islands' Great War Memorial.

Zylberberg has been left out of the Argentinian squad to play in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, where GB are also involved, which starts Friday and his chances of playing in London in July have been reduced.

Jason Lee's world number four side – likely to include Winchester-born star Rob Moore - will also face South Africa, Pakistan, Australia (the only team ranked above them in their pool) and Spain at the Olympics.

The women's squad, which has already been selected and features Southampton-born Reading striker Alex Danson, open up against Japan the day before their male counterparts begin with further matches following against Korea, Belgium and China before taking on world number ones Holland in their final group match.

New Zealand's women face Australia in the opening game of the Olympic hockey programme, starting at 8.30am on July 29.