EMPA football tournament 2010

(back row left to right) Jo Looj (cheerleader),Charlie Bull(London),Matt Easton (Liverpool), Terry Crowe (Ex-Liverpool & Cheerleader), Peter Flanagan (London),Willie Terry (Forth),Kevin Walsh (Liverpool & Captain), Stefan Looj (Liverpool),Simon Wood (Liverpool)

(front row left to right) Andy Bissaker (Liverpool), David Roberts (Liverpool),Michele Pulizzi (London),Giorgio Pirolami (London), Kenneth Macinnes (Forth),Steve  Swanick (Manchester),Steve Blake (Tees) and one missing camera shy Zane Joachim (Tees).

Ten teams attended the 46th annual European Pilots’ football tournament which was held at the Yuri Gagarin sports field in Le Havre on May 14 last year.The UK was drawn with Flushing, Hamburg, Amsterdam and the Belgian pilots.

In the first game of Group B the UK drew 0-0 with Flushing.  There was a disjointed feel to the game, which was hardly surprising as our squad was drawn from far-flung districts and the players rarely get the chance to play together other than at this annual tournament.  As ever, Liverpool pilots made up the largest contingent (6), with four from the Thames, two from the Tees, two from the Forth and one from the Manchester Ship Canal.

Our second match was against Amsterdam.  Our captain, Kevin Walsh, had watched the opposition defeat Hamburg 1-0 and his tactics paid off, with Amsterdam’s playmaker well-marked and the UK producing a much more cohesive effort,  to win 1-0 with a fine goal from Stefan Looj .  The UK then kept another clean sheet against the Belgians but sustained pressure failed to find the net.  This was repeated in the final group game, against Hamburg, to leave the UK joint top with the same points and goal difference as the Belgians but fewer goals scored.   After lunch, and a break from the strong sunshine, we had a semi-final against France, winners of the other group.   The UK played so well that our opponents soon gave up trying to attack, content that they had a spectacularly good goalkeeper.  He did indeed thwart the plucky Brits so, yet again, we finished goalless.  The match went to penalties and it was no surprise when the French keeper made the difference.

That left the UK to face the Belgians in a 3rd place play-off but, with tired legs and a fierce sun, we agreed on a penalty shoot-out, rather than another half hour on a big, hard pitch.   The British weakness of losing on penalties held true but both teams were so tired that the competitive spirit was wilting, and thoughts were turning to replenishing fluids with a few cold beers.  Still, fourth out of ten is an improvement on last year’s 8th from 12 and we finished this year as the only team not to concede a goal in play.  Rotterdam defeated France in the final to retain their title and begin a very congenial happy hour.

Our hosts organised a very good dinner dance, with a fine band, to round off a long and highly enjoyable day.  As in previous years, thanks are due to the Liverpool contingent – in particular Simon Wood and Dave Roberts – for organising so well and bringing the kit.  This year’s tournament is only weeks away, in Flushing, and will be played on Saturday 28th May.  The UK squad is already in place but there is always room for late additions so get in touch with Simon if you would like a memorable weekend and the chance to meet colleagues from around Europe.

Simon Wood



 

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