GB win double Gold at EMFT
Maccabi GB Secure 'Double Gold' in Torremolinos
May 2010
Maccabi GB in partnership with UJIA returned from Spain victorious as both the Open Football and Masters Futsal won gold in their respective tournaments.
The Open football team, sponsored by Lloyd Platt & Co. Family Solicitors, retained the Trophy in Torremolinos on Sunday.
A hard-fought 2-0 victory over Germany on Friday gave the British contingent a huge psychological boost, especially after having three goals disallowed. Sloppy defending from the German centre back was punished by Jerome Marks who opened the scoring, whilst the German goalkeeper was to blame for GB's second goal which striker Nick Woolf calmly finished off.
The players had only three-hours to prepare for their second game, which kicked off early afternoon - the hottest part of the day. The only goal of the game came from Woolf, who latched on to an Adam Posner through ball.
After a relaxing Shabbat, sitting top of the league table, Team GB knew that avoiding defeat would see them join the Germans as the only country to retain the European Maccabi Football Trophy. The days rest made all the difference with the squad going out all guns blazing. Marks grabbed a hatrick inside the first 11 minutes, with Posner and Laurence Judah making it 5-0 at half time. Costa Del Sol threatened a comeback reducing the deficit to 5-2, before Woolf and Marks completed the scoring with the final score ending up at 7-3.
Manager Phil Peters was delighted with his team's effort: "Myself and Jamie (Slavin, assistant manager) were delighted with the way the boys handled the pressures of international football. In addition, the heat and intensity of the tournament's schedule could have caused us problems but the togetherness of the squad combined with the individual talents of everyone involved meant that the gold medal was never in doubt."
A very experienced Masters Futsal team won all 3 of their matches in a 4 team round robin tournament. The opening game on Friday against Maccabi Gibraltar ended in dramatic fashion when Maccabiah veteran Paul Shamplina scored a superb winner 4 minutes from time. The game ended 2-1, GB having taken the lead through Adam Leonard early in the second half against a much tougher than expected Gibraltar team. Phil Caplan had kept GB in the game early on as Gibraltar attacked against a nervous looking British team.
The good start was followed up by an emphatic 8-1 demolition of a poor yet eager Maccabi Costa Del Sol with Brady stalwarts Daniel Collins and Johnny Cohen helping themselves to a brace each. The other goals were scored by Max Radford, Daniel Reuben, Olie Olsen and Shamplina.
An excellent day's work was followed by an early night for the ageing futsal stars, after enjoying the exceptional hospitality of the local Jewish community. This included a memorable visit to Torremelinos Synagogue where the 30 strong Maccabi GB delegation received a fascinating sermon from the local rabbi, albeit in Spanish.
Saturday's welcome day of rest was accompanied by mental preparation for the upcoming game against Maccabi Madrid whose playing squad consisted of the reigning European Maccabiah and Maccabi EFT championship players.
Early nerves were settled when Olsen turned swiftly and guided the ball in to the Spaniards net on 12 minutes. Player manager Cohen's 'Time-Out' instructions to keep the ball in their own half meant that the Spaniards would be coerced in to forcing the game and hopefully a mistake.
Inevitably the Spaniards equalised from a close distance free kick. Knowing a draw would secure the trophy the Brits began to defend even more stoutly. With 4 minutes to go and the game reaching its nervous conclusion the brilliant Caplan intercepted a through ball and played a clever pass to Leonard. Leonard looked up and found the unmarked Reuben who squeezed the ball home at the far post to complete a magnificent victory against a frustrated opposition.
Delighted player-manager Jonathan Cohen, "This has been a wonderful trip from start to finish. The lads bonded superbly all the way through the trip and we are proud to have achieved what no other Maccabi GB team has ever done before by bringing home the gold medal in a senior Futsal tournament. The best compliment we received was the reaction of the Spaniards at full time. The fact they were so upset shows just how far we are progressing as a country - although we still have a long way to go. I am hugely looking forward to managing the open team at the European Maccabi Games in Vienna next summer and I am hoping to take many valuable lessons from this whole magnificent experience".
Of the whole trip Maccabi GB's Sports Director Daniel Collins added, "May I also add how proud I am of both teams who performed excellently against strong opposition to bring home the Gold Medals. The Spanish provided great hospitality and there was a wonderful atmosphere and Maccabi spirit over the whole weekend. For many of our squad this was their first taste of international competition and they are now eager for more after having such a great time."
Trials are now starting for the European Maccabi Games so please ensure you have applied online at www.maccabigb.org for your chosen sport. For more information contact Elizabeth Fishel on 020 8457 2333 or email elizabeth@maccabigb.org
To view photos from the tournament click here