London 2012 Olympics: Hope Powell names first-ever Team GB women's football squad for Games

Britain's women's football team will be dominated by English athletes, after only two Scottish players were picked for the final squad of 18.

Kelly Smith - London 2012 Olympics: Hope Powell names first-ever Team GB women's football squad for Games
Shooting for gold: England's all-time top scorer, Kelly Smith, has been selected by Team GB coach Hope Powell for the Olympics Credit: Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Team GB's head coach Hope Powell admitted picking the squad was a "challenging task" but said she had not felt under pressure to pick representatives from the four corners of Britain.

No Welsh players feature in the team despite the fact the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will host Britain's first game. Northern Ireland is also not represented.

Powell said: "I was tasked with basically picking the best squad of players available to play and that's what I did.

"We had everybody looked at extensively and I think for me I took the [country] associations out of the equation and it was just about trying to pick a squad of players that I feel would do the best job possible.

"It was quite a challenging task, which just goes to show the amount of talent that we've got to choose from. It wasn't easy and obviously some players have been left out because we could only pick a squad of 18 but I think we've made the best decision possible for team GB."

Arsenal forward Kelly Smith, who is England's all-time top goalscorer, was named in Team GB following a swift recovery from a broken leg.

She will be joined by Scottish players Kim Little and Ifeoma Dieke.

Northern Ireland international Emma Higgins features among four reserves.

Britain's match against New Zealand on July 25 will be the opening event of London 2012 and will be played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Alex Scott, who has played for England in two European Championships and two World Cups, was named among the 18.

She said: "It's very exciting to be part of this historic GB team and we're all excited and can't wait to meet together as a squad and get going. It's a proud day for us all.

"I'm not feeling nervous at this moment, more excitement about being announced in the team. It's an exciting prospect to be opening the Games in the first event and we're hoping to get good support down in Cardiff. Tickets are still on sale so we're hoping people will come out and support us.

"I love playing so it's about showing people what I can do."

The team combines both youth and experience, with the inclusion of 21-year-old Little and 33-year-old Smith, who has scored 45 goals in 111 international appearances.

Powell said Little was an obvious choice as a "great talent who would bring a lot to the table".

She also confirmed that Smith had recovered after she broke her leg in March and damaged it further in May.

"She's doing really well," said Powell. "She's been in intensive rehab and I spoke to her at the weekend and she's good to go. We all know the kind of player she is and that's why she warranted a place.

"She looks good and I think she feels good so she's good to go."

Team GB will play New Zealand, Cameroon and Brazil in their group at the Games. The South American side are one of the favourites to take gold at the tournament.

Scott said: "I've played with Fabiana, who plays for the [Brazilian] national team, and obviously I've played against Marta and Christiane.

"All three of them are amazing players so we know just what to expect from Brazil – flair, the skill, the pace of the game, but when we come together as a team, we will have all the background and the work done so I'm sure we're going to go into that game well prepared."

"We look forward to that game," she added.

The addition of the women's footballers brings the total number of athletes selected for Team GB to 346 across 29 sport disciplines.

Team GB women's football squad:
Eniola Aluko
Anita Asante
Karen Bardsley
Sophie Bradley
Rachel Brown
Karen Carney
Ifeoma Dieke
Stephanie Houghton
Kim Little
Claire Rafferty
Alex Scott
Jill Scott
Kelly Smith
Casey Stoney
Fara Williams
Rachel Williams
Ellen White
Rachel Yankey

Reserve players:
Jess Clarke
Emma Higgins
Jane Ross
Dunia Susi