Germany won a three team tournament in Sipperfield this weekend – and did so in dramatic fashion!
England were leading 3-2 against the Germans until the very last kick of the game, before a late leveller saw Germany take the cup – which also included Luxembourg.
England had beaten the Luxembourgers, 1-0, while their German counterparts had ran out 5-1 victors against the smaller nation, meaning they took the title on goal difference.
England Head Coach Staines could barely hide his disappointment: “To say I’m gutted is an understatement,” he said as we caught up with him after the game.
Even the last minute equaliser though couldn’t dampen Staines’ enthusiasm, as he added: “I am so proud of all the players involved, to go over to Germany with only eight players, take on a team and are ranked a lot higher than us and yet come so close to winning is a really good achievement.”
The win and the draw for the new look England team means that the squad are unbeaten in four games since the new Coaching team of Staines, his assistant Gary Thomas and Team Director Paul Darke took over.
There is one more training session before miniEURO2014, and the England squad will meet up with Wales and Scotland on November 9th to take part in final preparations.