Published: Today at 12:18
TEAM GB coach Stuart Pearce reckons playing Olympic football on home soil is bigger than the World Cup.
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The former left-back, 50, won 78 caps for England and was part of Bobby Robson's side that reached the semi-finals of Italia 90.
But now at the helm of the first British Olympic side since 1960, Pearce says the feeling is even greater than that.
He said: "The meetings I've had over the months leading up to it it hit home the magnitude of what I’m going into.
"It was important to me to go to the senior players before the squad met up to spread that message. When we kitted out the whole squad they realised 'wow this is big'.
"As a player I’ve been to World Cups but on home soil I think this is bigger, as a whole event, I really do.
"I think the players have that feeling as well. They can’t put their finger on it, or tell you what or why, but they know this is special."
Pearce admits that being hosts makes his Team GB the one unknown quantity in the tournament, with the other 15 teams having qualified.
The former Nottingham Forest stalwart added: "I think Brazil and Spain will be very strong.
"I would fully expect one or both of them in the semi-finals.
"Every team bar Great Britain has earned the right to be here.
"We’re doing our prep on the teams in our group but you don't actually know until tournament football starts — there will be a surpise package in there."
Video : London 2012 venue guide - Football Stadia
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