Powell left proud

Hope Powell: Team GB made a winning start at the 2012 Olympics

Hope Powell was delighted to see Team GB's history-making women's football team showcase their talents as they opened the Olympics with a win over New Zealand.

Steph Houghton scored the only goal, curling home a superb 65th minute free-kick which, given the nature of this 12-team competition, is almost enough to secure a quarter-final berth.

However, as the very first match GB have played in women's football, and the first event of the entire 2012 Olympics, Powell knows GB have made a statement that can never be erased.

"The girls have made history today," said Powell. "It has been mentioned so much we couldn't ignore it.

"We were the first women's GB team ever and we won. That will never change now. We wanted to enjoy the experience.

Embrace

"We recognised it was the first event and that it was an opportunity for the girls to showcase their talent.

"I wanted them to embrace it and have a go. As it happens, we did alright."

Powell claimed Houghton was "in shock" as the ball went in, an assessment the 24-year-old did not dispute.

"It is almost impossible to put into words," she said. "I knew I had struck it well and when I picked my head up it was in the back of the net.

"I didn't really know what to do with my celebration. I was trying to head towards the bench but I got tired and tried to slow down because it was so hot.

"It was a really special moment for me, the best of my career without a doubt."