LA 1984

A first Olympic medal for GB since 1952

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After 32 years of waiting, Great Britain finally returned to the Olympic podium by securing bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. 

What made it even sweeter was that their place at the Games was only confirmed just a few months before. Having lost a series of play-off matches against Belgium, it looked as though the squad would miss out on an appearance for a third consecutive Olympics. However, the boycott of the Soviet Union meant a space opened up which GB was very grateful to fill and they certainly made the most of it.

They finished top of their group, winning four matches out of five with Sean Kerly scoring six times. They finished the pool stage with a creditable 0-0 draw against reigning champions Pakistan, setting up a meeting with West Germany in the semi-finals.

It wasn't to be a fairytale run to the final for GB as the Germans edged a close encounter 1-0, meaning Roger Self's team would be in the battle for bronze against pre-tournament favourites Australia.

Their determination to come away from the Games with silverware shone through as they came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 and secure the final medal, with Kerly's seventh goal of the tournament proving decisive.

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