The defender, who made her global debut in 1999, went on to become Britain’s most capped player, taking part at four Olympics, four Commonwealth Games and four World Cups and winning medals at every level.
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But as some of the 16-strong squad recounted their historic feats in reaching tomorrow’s final at the Olympic Hockey Centre, all agreed they could go one better and become Britain’s first team sport to win gold since the men’s victory at the 1988 Seoul Games.
Macleod also played down the significance of the team creating history for the country by at least winning a silver medal.
It says something of how far back that triumph dates that it even falls beyond the memory of Kate Richardson-Walsh, the 36-year-old captain of this team and player of 368 worldwide games.
McCallin, a former KGGS student, helped Team GB book their place in the gold medal match as they beat New Zealand 3-0 in their semi-final clash on Wednesday.
A prolific scorer and Britain’s biggest threat.
Danson, 31, scorer of two goals in the semi-final win, said: “It was the team’s idea. That’s what these Olympics are all about, grinding out wins”, she said.
For starters there was London 2012, when she suffered a broken jaw in the opening match against Japan.
Did you know… McCallin could be a valuable weapon against the Netherlands, not least because she speaks Dutch fluently after three years playing hockey there.
The Richardson-Walsh family dynamic is merely a fascinating quirk of this final.
The Netherlands are the defending Olympic champions after beating Argentina inthe previous final.
A keen footballer, she played until she was 14 but then had to choose between football and hockey.
“The one thing this team has, which we have had over the years, is belief”. Helen has had two back surgeries, and to come back having thought she’d never play again, to be here in an Olympic final – I think it’s just the most unbelievable story and I’m just so proud of her.
“At first I had some doubts because I missed the first shot, but I trust in my own shoot-outs so I thought, “Well, I’m not going to miss it twice”, said Hoog who missed her first attempt. I want to be one of those people.
The Londoner will next face Kazakhstan’s Ivan Dychko, who should be a familiar face, as he lost at this same stage to Joshua on points four years ago.
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“We are also very robust”.
