Our 1998's have just returned from the Rudi Fischer Tournament in Karlsruhe, Germany after a long weekend away. We drove Friday from Southend and arrived back at 8.00pm on Monday.

The boys spent the weekend with home stay families from the other teams, a great experience in itself and left a magnificent impression on the families who were extremely complimentary of their behaviour, maturity, politeness and also surprised by how experienced they are for boys their age. Mixing with new cultures and nationalities is great fun, 2 pairs had a result though with one mum being a Geordie and one family from Leigh on Sea!

We begun the tournament against FC Basel, losing 1-0 to a penalty. Basel were a good side who went on to win the majority of their 10 games to be crowned Champions on Sunday with a 4-0 win in the final vs Hoffenheim.

Our next set of results was as follows;

V FG Ruppur Won 2-0
V Karlsruhe SC Lost 1-0
V Augsburg Drew 0-0
V SSV Ulm Drew 1-1

This was a tough day. We played some good football and at times defended well on a big pitch. Our finishing let us down badly throughout the day, time and time again squandering good chances.

Our 1st day finish meant we hadn't done enough to qualify in the top 8 and progress to the Quarter Finals. Of the 36 teams in the tournament, some would be in the final 8, some going home, and some like us, progressing to the 2nd tournament to play for positions. This took place on Sunday.

Relaxed and refreshed after a great night with their home stays, the players were excited at the prospect of another 5 games. We began the day in a new group of 4, needing to win the group to make the semi finals.

V FC Luzern Won 1-0
V SG Siemens Won 1-0
V Offenbach Drew 1-1

3 very good performances in terms of possession, discipline and defensive understanding earned the boys their semi-final place. Having played and rested in between all week, we had 5 minutes to prepare for the semi finals against Xamax Neuchatel from Switzerland. The standard of opposition has varied this week from top European team, to local club team, to regional teams in older ages. With some of our boys very young 1999's, they would have been playing against some players who were old 1997's. Mainly a 1998 tournament though, the variety of challenges throughout games was excellent.

We won the semi final 1-0 after a fantastic goal from Daniel Brock, 4 goals in 4 games and so close to four 1-0 wins today after a last second equaliser by Offenbach.

We'd made the final where we played VFB Stuttgart. Playing such illustrious clubs is fantastic, we spent a lot of time this week with the coaches from FC Kolne, a huge club with attendances in the Bundesliga of 50,000 per week. To be playing alongside these teams and competing with them is both exciting and rewarding for our players and staff.

We lost the game 2-0 after conceding 2 goals in quick succession midway through the game. Before and after the goals we were in control in terms of possession and territory but didn't have the cutting edge that Stuttgart had to threaten enough.

None the less, beaten finalists in the 2nd tournament meant a 10th place finish out of the 36 teams entered. The performances throughout the weekend were pleasing on a group and individual level.

Hobsy and I met the boys on the journey home to talk through their weekend, one which was thoroughly enjoyable and educational.

Well done on a good weekend boys.

Mark Bonner