The England men’s deaf Futsal team celebrated a successful qualifying campaign in Switzerland last month.
Victories over Denmark, Slovakia and a draw with the host nation proved enough for the Three Lions to finish top of their group and secure their place in December’s European Deaf Futsal Championships in Finland.
And with the women’s equivalent Futsal team having also qualified for the finals, it means England will have double representation at the tournament.
Paul Harrison’s squad arrived for the qualifiers in Fribourg knowing they faced a tough task, as they were the lowest ranked nation in their group.
But when goals from captain John Atkinson, Davod Jarchlou, Nathan Jackson, Oliver Manoochehri and Jamie Clarke helped England to a 6-3 win over Denmark in the opening game, they followed that up with a 2-2 draw against the Swiss.
Goals from Adam Breeze and Clarke, coupled with some excellent Futsal from the Three Lions put England on course for victory only for a late equaliser from the hosts to see a share of the spoils.
England went into their final game against Slovakia knowing that a point would be enough to seal qualification, but taking three points and top spot was the main objective.
And they did so in style as goals from Atkinson, Clarke (3), Manoochehri (2), Byron Down (3), Phil Swift (3), Jarchlou, Breeze and Daniel Holdsworth ensured a convincing 14-0 win and hopes of a favourable draw for the finals at the end of the year.
The success was of extra importance to the group and coaches Harrison and Marcos Ortiz, after missing out on goal difference four years ago in Norway.
