6 September 2017
The second week of the summer holiday saw nine Abingdon Prep pupils (plus four from Abingdon School) head to Gothenburg to represent the Prep Schools’ Lions across several age groups at the Gothia World Youth Cup. With around 1,800 teams from some 82 countries, the Gothia Cup is the world’s biggest youth football tournament and as an event is larger than the Commonwealth Games.
56,000 players and supporters packed Gothenburg’s world famous Ullevi stadium on Monday night for the Opening Ceremony.
The football was fast and furious against teams which in many cases are professional academies and feeders for some of Europe’s top senior sides. The standard was very high but our teams performed well under excellent specialist coaching. The staff included an experienced Coach and Physiotherapist with every team.
The Prep School Lions fielded 15 teams in all and produced some outstanding results in the group matches:
- All Under-11 teams qualified for the 'A' competition with two teams winning their group.
- Four Under-12 teams qualified for the 'A' competition, including three group winners.
- All three Under-13 teams qualified for the 'A' competition
- Both Under-14 teams won their Group
For the children who were lucky enough to be selected, this really was an experience to remember. It is not often that you have the chance to pit yourself against some of the best young players in the world and they will all undoubtedly return to England better for the experience.
For the parents who went it was equally exciting – quality football played in the right spirit and a thoroughly enjoyable week.
Those who represented the School were as follows:
- Under 11 – Jasper, Samson, Joseph, Quinn
- Under 12 – Charlie, Sacha
- Under 13 – Rowan, Harry, Dylan
