World Schools Futsal Championships
Monday 12 May 2014By ESFA Office
Last Updated:
10/02/2021 11:49:30
The Boy's board the bus!
The 3rd World Schools Football Championships took place in Sardinia, Italy, from Saturday 26 April to Saturday 3 May 2014. Eastbury Comprehensive School, Barking, and Rainham School for Girls, Gillingham, had the honour of being chosen to represent England at the 2014 Futsal Schools World Championships. 24 boys’ teams and 12 girls’ teams representing countries from around the world made their way to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia to participate in the global event. Council Member Mike Spinks acted as Head of Delegation for the England party, boys and girls.
The two schools were chosen to represent England as a result of winning the FA / ESFA National Futsal Championships in Birmingham in June 2013. Excitement in both schools mounted until the day of departure when the England team bus turned up at the Kent school. The girls’ route to Stansted Airport was via the boys’ school in Essex. An Easyjet flight to Cagliari followed with touchdown on the Italian island late in the day.
The tournament was very professionally organised by the International School Sport Federation (ISF). On arrival at the Hotel Setar our teams were met by Andrea Delpin, President of the ISF. Throughout the week breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel was appreciated by players and staff alike. Matches were played indoors in local Sports Halls.
Lining up for action
Match Results Sunday 27 April 2014 England Girls 9 Israel 3
Match Results Monday 28 April 2014 England Girls 1 Turkey 13 England Boys 7 Romania 3 / England Boys 3 Italy 12
Match Results Tuesday 29 April 2014 England Girls 0 Finland 5 England Boys 1 Brazil 19 / England Boys 7 Guatemala 9
Match Results Wednesday 30 April 2014 England Girls 0 France 5 England Boys 4 Holland 7
Match Results Thursday 1 May 2014 England Girls 3 Belgium 1 England Boys 5 Russia 4
Match Results Friday 2 May 2014 5th / 6th place play-off England Girls 1 China 2 13th / 14th place play-off England Boys 5 Hungary 10
Summary England Girls finished 5th of 12 countries England Boys finished 13th of 24 countries
Finals Girls Final Turkey 4 Finland 2 Boys Final Brazil 9 Iran 8
Each school is to be congratulated on their efforts during the week. What the week did prove was that England is not the best in the world at Futsal but neither is it the worst. We sit at around the half-way mark. What came across strongly at this event was that both schools had outstandingly enthusiastic teachers, passionate about this form of the game and providing the best opportunities for their pupils to improve their skills on the court.
The next two Futsal Schools World Cups are scheduled for Croatia in 2016 and Holland in 2018. Next season, in April 2015, an 11-a-side Schools Football World Cup will take place in Guatemala.
Futsal Championship Celebrations
