Book review: London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games: The Official Commemorative Book


It seems like a distant memory now with Christmas fast approaching but the summer of sport provided plenty of highlights.
London 2012 was the greatest Olympic Games ever. Team GB's athletes can hold their heads up with pride and class after some unforgettable performances in both the main Olympics and the Paralympics in September.
Although it wasn't the biggest event by far at the Olympics, the football tournaments in London did provide some great stories of their own.
In The Official Commemorative Book of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the football competition is covered in sections to feature both the men's and women's events at the Olympics, plus the five-a-side and seven-a-side tournaments at the Paralympics.
Inside the book is the story of the football competitions, captured alongside some stunning photography.
The women's football tournament saw Team GB inject real passion into the game, with a full house at Wembley watching Hope Powell's side defeat Brazil 1-0 in the group stages.
Breathtaking battles 
It also featured stars like Christine Sinclair of Canada and USA's Abby Wambach as the Americans took their third consecutive gold medal in the final, seeing off Canada in a breathtaking semi-final at Old Trafford and then beating Japan in the Wembley showpiece itself.
The men's final saw a shock as Mexico took the gold medal, stunning favourites Brazil on the penultimate day of competitive action across the capital. Team GB's men went out predictably on a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals after some fairly tepid performances.
In the Paralympics, readers will be reminded of how Brazil and Russia took glory in the five and seven-a-side finals against France and Ukraine respectively.
The legacy of London 2012 was to 'Inspire a Generation.' It certainly inspired a nation and although it was overshadowed by other feats from athletes, cyclists and rowers - the football competition at both events lived up to expectations and beyond.
Remember the summer's greatest moments again with the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games: The Official Commemorative Book.
The Official Commemorative Book of the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games is out now on Amazon.
By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

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