AppId is over the quota Steph Houghton is hoping to make it a double by winning the FA Women’s Super League Continental Cup (Picture: Action Images)
Houghton scored in all three of Team GB’s group games at London 2012, including one against Brazil in front of more than 70,000 fans at Wembley.
Now her focus is on helping the Gunners win the double by beating Birmingham in the FA Women’s Super League Continental Cup final at Barnet’s Underhill after already winning the WSL.
‘We are getting a lot more attention and recognition,’ she said.
‘Attendances are improving. The image of women’s football has changed for the better and we have to make sure it keeps getting better as more and more girls take it up.’
Meanwhile the Football Association has confirmed Team GB will not be sending a men’s football team to the 2016 Olympics, but it has not ruled out fielding a women’s side.
Tickets – £10 for adults, £5 for children – are available by calling 020 8449 6325, from ticket office or at www.barnetfc.com
The public really made the London Paralympics one of the best experiences of my life, and I am pretty sure it was the same for most athletes from GB and other nations. The cheering and support alone brought home a few more medals.
London 2012 was unreal, every part just felt amazing. I remember the day we arrived, I walked around the village to get a feel for the place. I specifically remember saying to my coach: ‘I think this will be the best 14 days of my life’.
The village was its own little world, nothing I have been to before compares with it. It was shut off from the world and had everything you could ever need and more.
It was all such an amazing experience, and one I hope to repeat in 2016.
The best part for me had to be the games room; once competition time started we didn’t get to use it much but leading up to competition in our downtime space we spent a lot of time there relaxing and playing pool.
The dining hall felt like heaven after living in Sheffield with team-mates where, every day, after long hard sessions you have to come home and cook, which is the last thing you want to do.
But it was the Games Makers who were the icing on the cake for me. They were so happy and excited to be there and help you.
They stopped you from getting lost but also reminded us that we are not just playing for ourselves but the whole nation and made the experience for me that much better.
For me the best part of the whole Games was of course the competition at the ExCel. It was special walking out to your table and being introduced to the crowd.
Sadly for me, I didn’t do that great in the singles. I was happy with the draw and went in confident. I didn’t play poor but didn’t play to my best. I lost 3-0 to a Chinese player ranked No.6 in the world and then 3-2 to a Belgian former Paralympic champion and reigning world champion.
But the glory was awaiting me in the team event as we won bronze. I love singles but the team event always holds something special. The team was Ross Wilson, Will Bayley and me, nicknamed Dream Team RAW.
We went through every emotion – joy, sadness, tension, pressure, excitement and spirit. Ross won the final point and we went mental.
We had planned a celebration like Paul Gascoigne’s from Euro 96 – but with Powerade as the drink of choice! However, I decided that would ruin the court so we literally bottled it.
It was all such an amazing experience, and one I hope to repeat in 2016. If you would like to help support me in any way, do tweet me @kibsta91 or contact me via email at aaron_mckibbin@hotmail.co.uk
Metro Blogs is a place for opinions. These opinions belong to the author and are not necessarily shared by Metro.
For once this Tim Burton film doesn't star long-term collaborator Johnny Depp or real-life girlfriend Helena Bonham Carter.
Originally developed as a short film when Burton once worked at Disney, Frankenweenie follows young inventor Victor who finds a novel way of bringing his beloved pup Sparky back from the dead.
This wonderfully crafted stop motion 3D animation promises to be a return to form for Burton after the disappointing Dark Shadows - quirky, funny and dark, all the things we've come to expect from the director.
Amour deals with aging and death (Picture: AP Photo/Sony Pictures Classics)
Amour
The winner of this year's Palme D'Or at Cannes Film Festival, Amour is a brave and unsettling look at love, relationships, aging and death.
Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant play an old married couple, who find their relationship pushed to the very brink when one of them suffers from a stroke.
This being a Michael Haneke film, he doesn't flinch from portraying the slow and agonising process of dying showing just how tedious, humiliating and frustrating it can be.
It's utterly heartbreaking but deeply compassionate and powerfully gripping.
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Benh Zeitlin's debut film has already been touted as the next Slumdog Millionaire.
Far grittier and just as inspiring as Danny Boyle's offering, Beasts of the Southern Wild is an imaginative and lyrical piece of film-making brimming with style, poetry and beauty.
Quvenzhané Wallis gives a jaw-dropping performance as six-year-old Hushpuppy, who must weather the highs and lows of her alcoholic father's moods and also a huge storm which hits their community Bathtub.
Come Oscar time, Wallis could find herself in with a strong chance of taking home a gong for Best Actress.
Ben Affleck directs and stars in Argo (Picture: AP/Warner Bros)
Argo
Argo is one of those 'if it weren't true, you wouldn't believe it' stories.
Based on real-life events, Argo revolves around a CIA agent's (Ben Affleck) audacious attempt to save some US hostages from Tehran - by pretending to be the producer of a new sci-fi movie.
Affleck once again proves his skills as a director in this tense and gripping drama, which promises to have you on the edge of your seat.
Rust and Bone
Rust and Bone is a beautiful and unusual love story from French director Jacques Audiard, who won an Oscar nod for Best Foreign Film for A Prophet in 2010.
Marion Cotillard takes of one of her most challenging roles yet as a whale trainer who loses her legs in a horrific accident while rising star Matthias Schoenaerts plays the brutish bouncer she finds herself falling for.
She's struggling to leave the house while he's struggling to control his temper and his fists. It's hardly a match made in heaven but both leads are completely mesmerising in this touching portrayal of two people learning to feel complete again.
So that’s it – the nights are drawing in, it’s not long until the clocks go back, and London 2012 seems a distant memory… Winter’s coming.
Goodness me, how long ago the Olympics and Paralympics seem now, even though it is only four weeks today both teams paraded through the streets of the capital basking in the glory of a golden summer.
The things I’ve seen this summer will stick with me forever – from ‘Super Saturday’ in the Olympic Stadium to the living legend (his words, not mine) that is Usain Bolt to Michael Phelps to David Weir, it was a truly remarkable summer.
There is life after London 2012 and a night covering the Capital One Cup or the Europa League is more than enough to convince you that the world has moved on
And then, blink, and it’s all gone. Life returns to normal. Having lived in an Olympic bubble for 12 months, and planned for it for a lot longer, the greatest show on earth hits the road for its next stop-off in Rio (via a winter foray to Sochi in 2014, of course).
But nowadays, in this all-year-round, 24/7 sporting world where nothing and no one ever sleeps, it is at least easy to move on.
My first football match post-London was a little surreal, having simply ignored the first month of the season (I may do the same with the rest of the campaign unless looking at the Championship table becomes decidedly easier).
I just sat there and realised: ‘That’s it, it’s all over.’ Half of me was sad after such a wonderful year as Olympics Correspondent – a period in which I was privileged enough to meet Usain Bolt, David Beckham, the list goes on…
But part of me was also relieved that there is life after London 2012 and a night covering the Capital One Cup or the Europa League is more than enough to convince you that the world has moved on.
Sport continues, it always does, and although the nation united for a fantastic summer of British success, it is back to business. Winter’s coming. And maybe that’s reassuring.
Metro Blogs is a place for opinions. These opinions belong to the author and are not necessarily shared by Metro.
This week I signed up to become a Sport Maker and went to my local launch to find out more about the role.
The programme was developed as part of the London 2012 legacy strategy and is funded by Sport England and The Lottery. The aim is to recruit 40,000 Sports Makers across England to take forward the Olympic and Paralympic legacies.
In my opinion this is an excellent initiative and is a way of recognising the volunteering that people are already doing as well as recruiting new volunteers who may be enthused after the Olympics and will be incentivised by being part of a national scheme that rewards hours.
Sport Makers are charged with making sport happen at their local level. This can simply be encouraging a group of friends to take part in a local sporting event to getting involved in volunteering for a local sports club.
My local launch was organised by Hereford and Worcester Sports Partnership who will support the local group of Sport Makers in their efforts to grow grassroots sports. There were a range of people present from sixth form students who want to organise football games with their friends to members of the local bowls club who want to offer bowls classes to young disabled people. We learnt in a light hearted manner how we could contribute to the legacy and given the initial target of volunteering for 10 hours. In return there are a number of rewards depending on the hours we give.
In my opinion this is an excellent initiative and is a way of recognising the volunteering that people are already doing as well as recruiting new volunteers who may be enthused after the Olympics and will be incentivised by being part of a national scheme that rewards hours.
As a sports person I have received lots of support and encouragement from my local community – from local businesses sponsoring me, to people stopping me in the supermarket to give me words of encouragement. In return I feel that it is my responsibility to motivate people to take part in sport and improve access to sport for those people who face barriers to participation.
To that end I have already signed up to marshal and present the prizes at a local multi-terrain running race this weekend and will continue to use my profile in my community to make sport happen locally.
Anyone over the age of 16 can become a Sport Maker so if you were inspired by London 2012 why not become part of the legacy.
Metro Blogs is a place for opinions. These opinions belong to the author and are not necessarily shared by Metro.
AppId is over the quota Games Inbox: Hitman Absolution, London 2012 extend, and ZombiU | Metro.co.ukvar s_account="andmetroprod,andmetronetwork";var fbAppArticle="apps.facebook.com/metrouk/article";var fbAppGallery="apps.facebook.com/metrouk/gallery";MetroMootools.articleId = '912382';MetroMootools.categories = ['tech/games-inbox'];MetroMootools.channel = 'tech';MetroMootools.subChannel = 'games';MetroMootools.articleUrl = '/tech/games/912382-games-inbox-hitman-absolution-london-2012-extend-and-zombiu';MetroMootools.articleUrlFullCategory = '/tech/games/912382-games-inbox-hitman-absolution-london-2012-extend-and-zombiu';MetroMootools.articleHeadline = 'Games Inbox: Hitman Absolution, London 2012 extend, and ZombiU';MetroMootools.facebookAppId = '176908729004638';Skip to main navigationSkip to main contentSkip to search MetroFacebookTwitterFoursquareHomeNewsSportShowbizTVMusicFilmGamingCompetitionsMore +London 2012WeirdTech & GadgetsLifestyleTravelPicturesVideoFootballOdd BallsFantasy FootballFooty StatsTV ReviewsFilm ReviewsMusic ReviewsRestaurant ReviewsWeatherMoneyContact UsExploreBlogsClose thisSearchCasino|Bingo|Arcade|Fantasy Football |Jobs|Courses|Daily DealsMetroTechGames InboxLog outView your profileWelcomeSign upLog inSearch field By GameCentral - 18th September, 2012 Tweet Games Inbox: Hitman Absolution, London 2012 extend, and ZombiUThe evening Inbox discovers some of the strangest music clips on YouTube, as one reader recommends an indie game shop of the day. To add your own comments to the Inbox email gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk.Related Tags:LondonGermany Hitman Absolution – actually we think he’s a Canadian cop
Policing limits I don't know if this would make a good Hot Topic, but... I hope there's an option in Hitman Absolution to tranquillise British Police officers and not snuff them. It's just something in a game that makes me feel uneasy. I don't mind running over American police in Grand Theft Auto 'cause they're usually armed to the teeth. Oddly, one friend I've played games with since he was a toddler has no qualms about it and he actually is a copper now, quite a few of his colleagues have pre-ordered as well.
Have any other GCers found something in a game inexplicably disturbing? Not just the usual stuff that's supposed to be scary or disgusting, but something just plain odd. Perksurx (PSN ID) PS: I apologise for being a bad influence on Leigh Dappa.
GC: We’d swear the Piantas (or was it the shell guys?) in Super Mario Sunshine are saying, ‘I want to kill you’.
The Games go on London 2012 is one of my games of the year, there I said it. I don't even own the game but every time I go round my mate's house it's the focal point with everyone having a go. I've set records and returned days later to see them beaten - with stories of various friends staying up to the early hours desperate to set an unbeatable time/jump/throw.
It's not a perfect game but the decision to limit the button mashing to only a few events and instead focus on rhythm and timing is very welcome and well implemented. Each event has the right number of variables so you keep going back to them, one of my problems with older Olympic games was that you could get a perfect score every time once you mastered it, not here though as there always seems room for slight improvement.
It could have been a cash-in and sold just as many copies but it's actually a well-made game. It's a great social game to be played with people in the same room, something that I think is often missing nowadays with all the focus on online multiplayer. It's the only tie-in for a long time that I'm happy to see doing well in the charts. Petch1984
Downloadable extras Well that's my Wii U premium ZombiU bundle pre-ordered and I cannot wait. I'm 33 years old and I still get so excited for the launch of a new Nintendo console. From what's been said, it looks like there's going to be a pretty decent online set up as well. Are there any plans for GameCube games to be released for download on the Nintendo Network GC? ColdRoses (gamertag)
GC: Not that’s been announced, but we’d assume it’s a strong possibility.
No inkling GC, have you any inkling whether you can play Virtual Console games or Wii games that use the Classic Controller set-up directly on the Wii U GamePad? A bit of Nintendo 64 Sin & Punishment or Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, etc. would be a great way to spend the evening while the wife is watching X Factor, without me having to leave the room to use another TV, thus not 'spending any time with her'. DlSPOSABLE HERO (gamertag)
GC: We only know what was in that Nintendo Direct video, there was no actual European press event. However, we are going to Nintendo HQ in Germany on Thursday so if anyone wants to send us a list of questions we’ll see what we can do.
Catch up on every previous Games Inbox here
The puzzle element I was wondering if I could get some help, my wonderful other half has ran out of iPad games to play after completing Machinarium and Tiny World. Could any of your kind readership recommend anything similar as she loved the puzzle element of these. Thanks ever so much. Haninhoth (gamertag) PS: After reading about Dark Souls forever, I finally took the plunge and I am loving my very slow progress so far.
Dream game RE: Symnrubyne and Catherine-based dreams. I actually had the block puzzles seared into my retinas during the fortnight I was playing. I'd be sat watching TV or talking to Mrs Prime and the puzzles would be playing themselves in front of me like some kind of transparent AR waking nightmare! Needless to say I took it as a sign to power through the game.
I preferred my trippy Mario Kart 64 Rainbow Road dreams to be honest. Much less frustrating. Paul Fox
X marks the spot Well, I know people are going to hate me but I have to say I absolutely hated Final Fantasy VII, I found it tedious when you had to grind like crazy to make your characters survive certain encounters. I found some of the characters annoying and my friends were raving on, oh it was so sad when a certain character died. Or how some people were raving it had great graphics.
The battle graphics were good but the character graphics looked like someone sneezed on the screen, but honestly I played it all the way through but honestly I found myself forcing myself to finish the game but I quite enjoyed Final Fantasy VI, VIIII, and IX. The last one I ever played was X. PatlaborAVX0 (gamertag/Steam ID/PSN ID)
Don’t ask us… I know this letter might be completely irrelevant but I just came across on YouTube a few remixes which uses video games in an interesting way, also its a musical way I've been a ladder used.
This uses Resident Evil to play the theme for Doraemon.
And this uses Resident Evil for the opening theme for Dragon Ball.
Just wished Capcom would go back to the classic Resident Evil games and at least remake 2 and 3 to put in a complete set. Or even a remake of the original Dino Crisis would be awesome, but I doubt it will happen. PatlaborAVX0 (gamertag/PSN ID/Steam ID)
Indie game shop of the day I saw the letter about supporting independent games stores and felt that I had to write in about Game Raiders in Bexleyheath. When my PlayStation 3 conked out, I took it up there and within the hour it was working again. They stock new and a massive back catalogue of used games, have glass cabinets with older consoles such as SNES, Neo Geo, original Game Boy and others. Plus the last time I went they were holding a kid’s birthday party. 30 kids playing a variety of games on the small screen with a range of consoles… such a great little shop. Chris
Inbox also-rans Nintendo smashed it with their Wii U announcement! I am more than excited for this! I have a question though GC? I pre-ordered the ZombiU Premium bundle, but what's not clear is if it comes with Nintendo Land? I assume so as it's just the Premium bundle with ZombiU and the Pro Controller thrown in isn't it? Appreciate your help with this GC. Country Mike
GC: That’s right. It’s ZombiU instead of Nintendo Land, but with the Pro Controller as extra.
I too have seen the new look for RoboCop. Can't say I'll be buying that for a dollar - or any amount of money for that matter. DMR
A couple of quickies for you: do you have a Double Dragon Neon release date on PlayStation Network as I can't seem to find it on there today? Also, Machinarium seems to have quietly slipped on there, it was three-ish years ago it was out on PC, I vaguely remember it being well reviewed. Worth £6.49? Rolph (PSN ID)
GC: We fear Double Dragon is subjected to the now almost obligatory delays on PlayStation Network, it’s currently only down for ‘September’. Machinarium is great, we didn’t realise it was on the PlayStation 3 but if it’s a decent port it’s well worth that price.
Just want to give you the heads-up. Saw Sleeping Dogs on PlayStation 3 for £22.91 in Tesco in-store. The only Tesco store I go to is at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. lonewolf23786 (PSN ID)
This week's Hot Topic With the release date and price for the Wii U now revealed the subject for this week’s Inbox is pretty obvious: will you be buying one and if not why not?
The Wii U is out on November 30 and the Basic model costs around £250 and the Premium around £300. Do you think that’s good value for money, and if not how cheap would the Wii U have to be for you to consider it? If price isn’t an issue what else would Nintendo have to do to convince you?
What do you think of the games that have been announced so far and what do you think of the launch line-up in particular? Are there are any specific franchises or sequels you’re waiting for before you buy the console, and have announcements such as Bayonetta 2 and Black Ops II swayed your opinion?
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk
The small print New Inbox updates appear twice daily, every weekday morning and afternoon. Letters are used on merit and may be edited for length.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word 4Player viewer features at any time, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
TweetWhat would you like to say?To add a YouTube video, insert its web address hereSendto Metro and share on:NewestOldestMost PopularLeast Popular 6:18 PM on 9/18/2012 keef25
Rolph, I had never heard of Machinarium until I signed up to PS Plus last week where I got to download it for free. Only a short way into it but it seems to be a well made port (not sure what the pc version is like) with charm and character with a lovely art style.
6:17 PM on 9/18/2012 keef25
Rolph, I had never heard of Machinarium until I signed up to PS Plus last week where I got to download it for free. Only a short way into it but it seems to be a well made port (not sure what the pc version is like) with charm and character with a lovely art style.
6:13 PM on 9/18/2012 Floyd 83
When you're setting up for a race in F-Zero GX, the voiceover guy says "Grandpa's got a full set." I can't for the life of me make out what he's actually meant to be saying. It's about 6 seconds into the clip.
6:08 PM on 9/18/2012 BANGER1987
I hate piggies put more of the government puppets in games I say, so I can do a Raoul Moat on them.
6:05 PM on 9/18/2012 zombiekicker
Disposable hero, get a Tivo box in the bedroom, i send my missus to bed every night about 8, its alovely arrangement
6:04 PM on 9/18/2012 pauldennett
The Robocop armour reminds me of the suit from Crysis, except more featureless and bland looking. There's been a review of the script online though, and apparently Robocop has more than one look in this film....apparently one of them was reminiscent of the iconic original armour but it's dismissed by focus groups in the movie as being "too 80's". If being "too 80's" means looking great and memorable, then I'd rather look too 80's than that generic looking mess that's been shown. You see that new armour and you don't think Robocop, you think generic sci-fi background actor. Lame in the extreme.
6:03 PM on 9/18/2012 Karl S
Bit perplexed as to how I could earn -8 (see this morning's underbox) just for asking what I missed while away. Anyways, an apology (of sorts): last time I was on I was dissing Sony for not advertising the PS Vita. I swear to God up until that point I'd never seen an advert for it. As soon as someone mentioned the current Lego Harry Potter/Batman ad campaign it's never been off my telly. I believe that's what they call synchronicity.
5:59 PM on 9/18/2012 zombiekicker
Petch, the powers that be don't want you in the same room as the people you are playing with, then human interaction could produce seditous ideas, like going to the chipshop, OUTSIDE!!!!
5:52 PM on 9/18/2012 Perksurx
On a less serious note (trousers fall down, sound of Swanee whistle) [prototype] is actually turning out to be quite good. There was a lot of criticism about the lead being pretty obnoxious, but I think the problem is his LACK of character.
Worth a punt for a couple of squids; like a cross between Hulk, Spider-Man, Assassins Creed, GTA, Just Cause and Saints Row.
5:47 PM on 9/18/2012 cosmic250
everyone the kitten in my picture is bon,thats him playing.is leigh dappa still in under box police custody?he was a friend of mine on psn network then he dumped me.
5:29 PM on 9/18/2012 Foetus
PatlaborAVX0 - When did you have to grind on FFVII!??? Unless you where trying to kill ruby and emerald weapon the game required no grinding and could be easily completed from start to finish without it.
5:28 PM on 9/18/2012 BigJohnny GlowSticks
brings a tear to the eye!
5:23 PM on 9/18/2012 Petch1984
Machinarium is on PSN??? That news has pleased me and I already own the game on PC. The hand drawn world and ambient, clanging music is worth the price alone, but then you have great humour and devilish puzzles to boot. Buy it.
5:02 PM on 9/18/2012 Green Gobbo
In response to the e-mail from Perksurx I wanted to spare a thought for the families of the two female police officers who were shot and killed earlier today. Two very brave officers who paid the ultimate price for doing their job. I wish their families all the best in this tragic time.
4:58 PM on 9/18/2012 Dark anima x
Perky, you got the first letter on the inbox. Take a bow.
The BT Spirit of the Olympics competition, for amateurs, is to run in parallel with a contest for press photographers, sponsored by British Airways.
Both will be judged by a panel of experts from the UK Guild of Picture Editors, which is chaired by Alan Sparrow from Metro.
The challenge for the amateur section is to capture Britain’s response to the spectacle with up to six photos taken between January 1 and September 10.
The images could be of local celebrations or the torch relay – or a moment of Olympic or Paralympic action captured from the stands. Winners of both contests will have their work printed by PhotoBox and shown at the Museum of London.
Guild chairman Mr Sparrow said: ‘The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are history. But one contest has still to be completed – it’s to find the most vivid imagery from an exceptional summer of sport.’
The deadline for entries to the contests is September 26. The amateur prize is camera gear worth £500 and BT Total Broadband free for a year.
It costs £10 to enter but Metro readers can take part for free at www.piced.net/awards-categories-olympics.html, entering 'metone' in the promotion code box.
IN PICTURES: Picture Editors' Guild Olympic Photography Awards 2012