29 July 2012 Last updated at 00:36 ET

Newspaper review: 'Feel-good' factor of London 2012

The Mail on Sunday seems surprised at the excitement that has been generated by the opening ceremony, and the first day of action, at the London Olympics.

It says the mood is euphoric but that the notion of the UK contemplating "the feel-good factor" would have seemed a "tasteless joke" a month ago.

The Sunday Times suggests the Olympics should be seen as a rallying call.

It says the UK needs to lay aside recent dark episodes and let itself be "galvanised" by the Games.

Cavendish's Cycling roadrace

Cyclist Mark Cavendish's failure to win gold in Saturday's roadrace highlights several quintessential aspects of British life, the Sunday Express says.

One is a "long history of piling impossible pressure on our sporting heroes, only to have our hopes of glory cruelly crushed", it says.

The Sun says Team GB's cyclists "gave everything in a thrilling road race".

The Observer's William Fotheringham says they were thwarted "by concerted attacks from almost every other team".

'Lithe and muscle-honed'

The Sun and Observer both sent correspondents to the beach volleyball at Horseguards Parade - with vastly different results.

The Sun's reporter, Oliver Harvey, cannot help but enthuse at the sight of the female competitors.

"Lithe and muscle-honed," he writes, "their movement at times balletic".

The Observer's Marina Hyde is less impressed - particularly by the choice of music for breaks in play - the theme tune from The Benny Hill Show.

Actor Geoffrey Hughes

Many papers pay tribute to actor Geoffrey Hughes - Coronation Street's Eddie Yeats - who has died from cancer.

The People and Daily Star Sunday describe the star, 68, as a "legend".

Under the headline "Ta-ra Eddie, chuck", the Sunday Mirror says Hughes never spoke about his battle, but had publicly supported cancer charities.

The Times says Hughes was famous for "his roles as a northern working class slacker" - including Onslow in Keeping Up Appearances.