11 August 2008

 

Village Manchester FC have just returned from the 2008 EuroGames in Barcelona.

 

by Jason McAuley

 

 

 

The 2008 EuroGames in Barcelona was universally agreed to be one of the best football tours the club has ever been on. 

 

The team, supporters and 'BAPS' did us proud both on and off the pitch and although we were left with a feeling of 'what might have been' after conceding our one and only goal of the entire competition 3 minutes into injury time in the quarter final against Paris to bring the scores level before the agony of being knocked out of the competition in the penalty shoot out that followed.

 

Far from dwelling on the moment, the lads made quite an impression in the Catalan capital, making many friends in bars and various establishments that specialised in the production of steam. This also included a pre-tournament party on a luxury yacht in Barcelona's famous marina (thanks to Rodney and partner for the invitation!), witnessing the 8th wonder of the world..aka the Living flag!..and most importantly, playing terrific football as a team during the tournament. 

 

VMFC were drawn into one of the tougher groups which involved playing 3 group matches on day 1 in searing heat, including one of the favourites, Cologne who we completely dominated for the entire match but it was the 3rd game of an exhausting day and the energy levels required to breakdown a determined defensive German team meant the game ended 0-0. This sent us through unbeaten to top the group. In bizarre circumstances, it transpired that finishing top of the group meant an even harder draw in the knockout stages on day 2, first facing a strong and organised Spanish side in Bilbao before prematurely bowing out against 2005 IGLFA winners Paris in the quarter final.

 

A semi final place and an opportunity to cap a great squad effort with a medal was not to be this time around but VMFC gaffer Antony Lockley was upbeat about the performance of the team "I'm so proud of the way we performed, it was some of the best football we have ever played but sometimes you don't get what you deserve in football" he added, "it was a real team effort and that includes a special thanks to our 'barmy army' of supporters, Iain and Polly from Taurus, Philip & Layton from Recon and of course all the BAPS".