Cambridge United travelled home last Monday evening very proud of their efforts after participating in the JFK Cup, a top Indoor tournament hosted by MTV Reide near Bremen, Germany.
The tournament, which plays host to a number of top clubs, involved an action packed weekend of Indoor football as the players demonstrated their techniques and social skills in a variety of different ways in an environment which would test and challenge the players mentally.
The tournament was played indoors in a quality arena over the weekend of 14 and 15 January involving 20 invited teams.
The fixtures were 10 minutes long so therefore quick and fast with quick decision making and good technique being big factors throughout the weekend in front of a large and noisy crowd in a great atmosphere. The players themselves could not believe the number of people observing the fixtures on show and the arena setting for the tournament, which they could only describe as "amazing!"
Cambridge United gained their invitation through a good European contact, inviting us to participate. This was to be the first time the young U's could participate in such a tournament with the opportunity to explore, learn and enjoy in new and different environment.
As like all top European tournaments we travel too, we travelled aiming to achieve the knock-out stages, which is difficult to do, but certainly not mission impossible, as proved to be on this occasion!
We travelled with a confidence about our aims and objectives and the players were relishing the challenges that would come our way throughout the weekend.
Our journey saw us drive through France, Belgium, Holland and over the border into Germany before stopping off for a delicious hot pasta dish before adventuring back on the road for the trip up towards Bremen, where we arrived in anticipation of what was to challenge us.
The hosts were, as expected, brilliant! Bastian was designated to look after all our needs throughout our stay, which he did, and we now believe Bastian is a U's fan!
Our preparations were well underway for the tournament and following our long journey, a light training session, shower and meal it was time to sleep well for the next day, when we would kick the tournament off the following morning with a 08.00a.m fixture v VfB Oldenburg!
This tournament hosted so many big names from across Europe and it was always going to be an excitable challenge and experience for our players. The draw was made by Nienburger Levent Aycicek, Werder Bremen and Germany's U19 Midfielder and our group consisted of one of the biggest names in German football, Borussia Dortmund!
Saturday was soon here and the players were up early to shower and tuck into a large contential breakfast prior to preparing for the morning ahead. A short travel to the venue in the neigbouring town, and we were there. The players, full of excitement, were soon changing into their kit before warming up on the pitch amongst other top clubs in anticipation of a lively and exciting tournament.
With every fixture being introduced onto the pitch by the tournament DJ backed up by a great sound system, the lights went out, the smoke machines were on and the lights and sounds of the latest dance tracks in full motion, it had everyone rocking!
The adrenaline was flowing through everyone, including us the staff, as it could not be helped but to be bouncing in anticipation of the game ahead! The noisy crowd, consisting of supporters singing, drums banging and air horns blowing, provided an electrifying atmosphere which the players very much enjoyed - you could see it written all over their faces!
Concentration was going to be key due to the many outside influences which could easily distract the players from their game, so just prior to the game starting it was key to focus on what we were here to do!
The fixtures came in the following order throughout the morning:
• VfB Oldenburg: Won 2-0
A positive start and result - as expected it was a case of getting to experience the game and arena. The players got to grips with this well and recorded a good victory with good attacking play. The U's had arrived with confidence flowing!
• Weyhe Lahausen Won 3-0
Once the U's got the first goal in this fixture, the confidence shone through with a positive display and good finishing. The U's controlled this fixture due to their focus and we were pleased with their performances to date.
• Borussia Dortmund: Lost 1-2
As expected a fixture we were relishing with the U's demonstrating many positives and with the game locked at 1-1 for long periods the U's were caught on the counter with 40 seconds remaining to concede.
In fact, their goal came from our shot which their goalkeeper blocked which fortunately fell in the direction for them to spring a counter attack, which they demonstrated well and scored from. A great performance with the players disappointed not to get more out of the game!
• D / T Football School: Won 3-0
A positive reaction was demonstrated as the U's recorded a victory against a German/Czech Rep Talent Rep Squad to ensure they booked themselves into the final 8 - the first English team to do so at this tournament! A great achievement for the players and we were very pleased with their achievement!
Our morning of work had demonstrated many positives and with the players, delighted with their progress, they knew the intensity was going to rise, which was a good aspect and a challenge we were all looking forwards too.
Our results placed us 2nd in our group from 5 teams, with Borussia Dortmund finishing top. This enabled us to progress and with groups A & B playing throughout the morning, our next fixture was to play winners of group B, FC Koln as part of our new group, which would see the top two progress to the semi's.
• FC Koln (FC Cologne): Lost 1-3
The score line did not provide justice to the U's. An early mix up enabled us to concede, however as we continually demonstrate, the U's would rally and work their way back into the game, which we did with a great finish to level the scores. Similar to the Dortmund fixture the game was in the balance and despite efforts to take the lead, two very late goals enabled them to record a victory.
The players were disappointed but also acknowledged the fact that now they were in the 'Champions League' every small detail would be exposed, which was an important learning tool for them to experience. A good de-brief enabled all the squad to discuss areas to improve and be aware of, together highlighting the positive aspects demonstrated.
It was time to shower before participating in the Open Ceremony, which took place when all clubs were present at Midday. With groups A & B having now played all their group fixtures, it was nearly time for Groups C & D to participate, but not before an excellent ceremony, which our players took part in.
Following the ceremony, and our lunch at the tournament venue, it was time to head back to base, to unpack and unwind. We was not there long before we planned to take a short trip to Werder Bremen's Stadium. When on tour, we like to enable the players to see as much as possible and visiting such a top club, was great for them.
A visit to the club's museum to see some of their history, together with looking round the outside of the 42,500 capacity stadium was an enjoyable time and a time to get some much valued fresh air, following a morning inside an electric atmosphere!
Time for Dinner and the players were soon refuelling before free time was spent at the school, on the laptops which were available for players to catch up on the latest English football scores! Everyone was keen to see how the U's were progressing against Telford in the FA Trophy, so when we saw the U's had won 4-1, the players were buzzing!
At the school, were two other International clubs, Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) and Groningen (Eredivise Dutch League) so it was good to meet and speak with them. Groningen invited us to play a friendly in the sports-hall at the school we were staying at, so we obliged and organised a 4 x 10 minute fixture, which would allow our team to be split into two squads to play 2 x 10 minutes each.
Groningen had participated in Group D but had finished bottom of their group, consisting of St Pauli, All JSG Star Team, Schalke 04 and Karlsruhe. I guess they were hoping for a win against us!
It was not to end well for them though, as the U's recorded a comfortable victory, whilst working on some aspects important for the following day's work in our new group. It was a good training game for us and our friendship with Groningen developed which is important. They are a good club and we thanked them for their invitation of the game.
Once showered and ready for bed, our players met to finalise the important aspects required to ensure we were ready for the next challenge ahead and guessing where Jake may end up in the morning! Jake was the team's sleep walker, and wherever he would begin the night, it was sure he would end up somewhere else, much to the humour of his teammates!
As expected the players woke excited and ready for the next set of fixtures and also pleased and quite surprised to see Jake in the same place!
With the normal routine outlined, the players busy prepared and before long we were back pitch side ready to walk out into the playing arena, with the atmosphere pumping!
• v Schalke 04: Drew 2-2
This game was a great advertisement for football - both teams played well, scored some great goals and it was very much end to end!
From 0-1 down to 2-1 up, the U's were a minute away from a possible victory, when some hesitancy when defending enabled them to strike back, although Sam Bennett who had already made a big impact when scoring after coming on, nearly scored with 7 seconds to go, but saw his effort go the wrong side of the post!
When you have eight teams competing for the top two places in the two groups of four, there is everything to play for and with one game remaining it saw the U's requiring to beat FC Staaken from Berlin 2-0 to gain a semi-final place!
• v Staaken: Lost 0-3
The players knew that a 2-0 win would take them to the semi's, and this news possibly got the better of them. With excitement and thinking of attacking play, the U's were caught on the counter on two occasions which saw us punished, before a late goal put any comeback to bed.
The players were disappointed but I'm sure this was a good learning curve for them and one they would be better for in future situations.
A win would have taken the U's into the semi's but the defeat saw FC Staaken leap past them in the group meaning the U's would play Karlsruhe for 7-8th Place.
This fixture would be another good challenge and it proved to be so.
• v Karlsruhe: Lost 2-4
The final game of the tournament concluded with many goals, and demonstrated that the U's could score positive attacks, but required additional work with being caught on the counter attack. All the players played their part and came off knowing these types of fixtures were brilliant experiences and good lessons would be learnt. A great effort!
On tour, the players want to play as much as possible, and us coaches want to see players put under different situations to identify their personalities and characters, so this would provide us with these aspects. We were disappointed as like everyone we wanted to progress and do better, but it shows that playing in a top indoor tournament as this, with such big clubs present, that the U's have come a long way to be a little disappointed with 8th place from 20 teams!
This experience would live long in the memory for our players and we hope the players take on board some important messages to enable them to learn, which I'm sure they will.
When we look overall we were not too disappointed because when you think of the aspects our players were challenged with it was a great learning curve. We were very pleased with the players and we learnt a lot which is why we promote and conduct such tours.
Presentations followed at the tournament closing ceremony, which all clubs participated in. From 20th place to the winners - Bayer Leverkusen - everyone joined together to congratulate each team.
As the teams were announced to the crowd, a fantastic indoor firework display was in action and I could only admire the environment this tournament provides to all the young participants - it was brilliant! It was also time to reflect upon how well the U's had done.
We had come higher than: Hertha Berlin, St Pauli, Werder Bremen, Sparta Prague, Hannover and Rapid Vienna and therefore makes us very proud at the club. We were also pleased to hear that Joe Neal had finished 2nd joint top goal-scorer, which is a great achievement!
During the presentation we were presented with a placement trophy and medals. Joe Neal our U11 player chose to speak at the ceremony on the microphone to the capacity crowd, which says a lot about his character and personality.
Joe spoke in German to approximately 1000 people to thank the tournament committee, participants and the winners, which was greatly appreciated and the crowd provided a fantastic round of applause and a cheer! This was a nice touch and I know they welcomed it!
Encouraging our players to speak out and be confident and thank everyone in German is a challenging task when you don't know the language but it's a task our players do with confidence and it certainly gets praise and recognition. Cambridge United certainly won many friends and supporters with a host of clubs, which was a credit to the players for their conduct, professionalism and friendship throughout.
Our time at the JFK Cup was one I'm sure our players will remember for a long time as they made many new supporters and friends and Cambridge United hope to demonstrate their participation next year, when we look to take our next group of exciting talent to experience new challenges whilst playing top indoor football against some great clubs.
Our journey back across Europe saw us spend the night in the town of Tecklenburg. This was a small market town, which enabled us to spend additional team time, as we visited an Italian restaurant before settling down to sleep at the town's youth hostel.
A journey home would not be completed without another football stop, so this time it was a quick visit to PSV Eindhoven, where the players brought some gifts from the club shop at the Phillips Stadium. Another great U's tour and I'm sure the players will be keen to find out where is next in our European Adventures, as we support our young players in their personal development.
The players were keen to express their gratitude on the way home with one player commenting "The experience was astonishing and it was a pleasure to be asked to represent the football club and I hope I can go back again next year!"
Squad: Finley Iron, Joe Neal, Harry Watson, Elliot Thorpe, Ben Worman, Sam Bennett, James Tee, Jake Battersby, Lewis Simper and Joshua Gooding
Staff: Marc Tracy (Centre of Excellence Manager) Tom Pell (Technical Development Officer)
Cambridge United: YOUR CITY - YOUR CLUB
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