It seems only hours since the squad met up last Friday at St. George’s Park to begin the final preparations for this tournament. Now we are waiting with a huge sense of anticipation for the games to begin.
Malta v England
UEFA Futsal Euros
Preliminary Qualifying Round
6.30pm, Wednesday 14 January 2015
Hibernian Pavillion, Malta
In truth, the preparations started months ago with a long and arduous trip to Montenegro. Tough, uncompromising and very capable they were just the right opponents with which to begin our journey to Malta.
The victories were shared but both were very close and we had to show how far we have come as we went toe-to-toe with the hosts, winning the second game 2-1.
The hands of fate must have selected our next two opponents as both Latvia and Andorra were drawn in our qualifying group AND were chosen as pre-tournament opponents many months previously.
Only time will tell if fate was really toying with our destiny but in the meantime, England recorded their fifth straight win with double header victories against both of our Euro opponents.
England face Latvia, Malta and Andorra in the Preliminary Round
The victories were shared but both were very close and we had to show how far we have come as we went toe-to-toe with the hosts, winning the second game 2-1.
The hands of fate must have selected our next two opponents as both Latvia and Andorra were drawn in our qualifying group AND were chosen as pre-tournament opponents many months previously.
Only time will tell if fate was really toying with our destiny but in the meantime, England recorded their fifth straight win with double header victories against both of our Euro opponents.
It must be recognised that no one can be certain how strong the opponents were or how much they might have been prepared to reveal during the games.
However, as always, we adopted an approach that will stand us in good stead over the next few days; prepare professionally for each game and just try to beat whoever is in front of you.
The games were as close as expected but the squad is much more comfortable in tight games. This has been a very pleasing part of recent developments, particularly since last summer’s Four Nations tournament in Newcastle which we won by conceding only one goal, and I hope this will continue. Our aim is to still be ‘in’ the tournament going into the last game.
Sturgess says England go into their Euro Qualifiers in confident mood
Whatever happens over the next few days, it must be recognised that this group of players has really put England Futsal on the map.
England played the hosts Lithuania in the last qualifying event and the desire to progress once more into the Main Round is a huge motivation.
We can only hope that history will repeat itself as we entertain the hosts Malta in our first game on Wednesday.
“With Unity Comes Greatness”
The England Futsal squad motto
Regards
Pete
