All White for GB
Great Britain's handball teams both look set for a tough baptism at the Olympics Games.
Last Updated: 27/07/12 3:30pm
Captain Bobby White is thrilled at the prospect of Great Britain men's handball team playing their first-ever match at the Olympics.
Team GB were handed a wildcard by the British Olympic Association last year and kick off their campaign against reigning champions France.
It will be a tall order for a team that have only ever won one competitive game, as they take on a French side widely regarded to be the best-ever team.
White, a former semi-professional footballer for Newport Pagnell, had never even played handball until he answered a call from Sir Steve Redgrave, who fronted UK Sport's Sporting Giants scheme in 2007.
Amazing
"It's amazing, it's something that we have aspired to for the last four or five years and we couldn't be happier to be playing the reigning gold medallists in the first match," he said.
"They have some amazing players that I have watched since I started playing and to be on the same court as them is going to be something pretty special.
"France have been quite lucky, having generated a lot of great athletes at the same time and there is not anyone in their team that looks out of place in terms of the quality they have got.
"If we can keep within five or 10 points we will be really happy but we have got our tactics and strategy and if we take our chances hopefully it will be a close game."
Goalkeeper White, who took over the captaincy from Ciaran Williams last summer, admits it will be an emotional moment to lead out his team in front of a passionate home crowd in the Copper Box at the Olympic Park.
"I'd like to think I will keep myself composed, but I don't know how I'll feel being in front of a home crowd," he added.
"I'm sure one or two of the boys will have a tear in their eye but hopefully we will be able to keep our composure."
Podium potential
Team GB's women will be playing their first-ever handball match at the Olympic Games against Montenegro on Saturday, with skipper Lynn McCafferty expecting their opponents to be serious medal contenders.
The two countries have met twice in the last two months, with Montenegro coming out on top on both occasions.
"We have played them twice and we had two okay first halfs, but we lacked a lot of experience against them," the 33-year-old McCafferty said.
"One of their domestic teams has just won the Champions League and they beat France to top their qualification group so they are on a real high just now. So for us to beat them in our group is a little unrealistic right now.
"I'm pretty sure they will be medal contenders, if not definitely a top-four finish, so Montenegro is not one of our targets, it's our performance that will matter the most."
