Cambridge United followed in the footsteps of the likes of Spartak Moscow, Osasuna, Copenhagen and Dynamo Kiev, as well as three previous English clubs (Stoke City 1986 and 1991, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1993 and Norwich City 1996), in winning this prestigious tournament staged in Dourges, near Lens, in Northern France.

The squad consisted of the four recently signed first year professionals, our eight scholars that are going into their second year, and three trialists. The attitude and performances of the players was outstanding; we won every game and didn't concede a goal until the last ten minutes of the final.

We played the first two games against the joint hosts, beating Dourges 2-0, with goals from Adam Marriott and Jack Bailey, and Henin-BT by the same scoreline, through a Liam Hughes header and another strike from Adam Marriott. In truth, both games were comfortable victories in the 20 minute each way group stage. Over the two matches we also struck the woodwork a total of five times and our keeper, Seb Brown, was largely redundant.

The pivotal game came against Bucharest, with the previous results of both teams making it effectively the semi final. The final is contested by the top team in the two groups, so the losers would be eliminated and the winners would be untouchable with nine points. Our opponents, runners up last year, were a formidable outfit and physically strong but we responded with our best display to date.

Adam Marriott maintained his goal-a-game record with a fantastic early finish before Jack Bailey added a second. Seb Brown then showed his worth between the sticks with two fine blocks whilst Sam Ives should have put the result beyond doubt but headed over from close range and Adam Marriott uncharacteristically missed three one v one situations in the second half.

The overall performance was very pleasing though. We passed the ball well, dictated the tempo, looked dangerous going forward and looked very solid out of possession. In these shortened games the first goal is crucial and once we went ahead, the team looked extremely strong and able to counter-attack effectively, with only our finishing below par.

The final group match on Sunday saw us take on the Belgian giants, Anderlecht, and it was a mark of respect that our opponents deployed a 4-5-1 formation to blunt our attacking strengths. This led to a very tight affair which was eventually settled by a piece of opportunism by Adam Marriott, taking advantage of indecision between their keeper and centre back, to finish with his left foot. This was his fourth goal in as many matches but just as impressive was his fantastic approach play and unselfish work rate, not to mention his ability to win and then deliver quality free kicks in the final third.

In the final we played Kiev, in front of a healthy crowd, in a match played over two 40 minute halves. Our two youngest players, Luke Berry and Liam Hughes, again formed a partnership in central midfield and dominated proceedings from the outset. Along with Adam Marriott and our mainstay at the back, skipper Blaine Hudson, they were our most consistently high performers over the weekend.

The opening goal came through Adam Marriott winning a free kick and then delivering a pin point ball from the resultant kick which was met with a glancing header by Liam Hughes. Jack Bailey added a second, with a deft finish from Blaine Hudson's cross, and we were denied a third by some agile goalkeeping and a series of last ditch blocks.

Kiev continued to move the ball adroitly but looked vulnerable defensively so we just had to maintain our defensive shape and discipline to see out the win. Concentration was the key as they had technically gifted players that could punish us if we opened up and left holes that could be exploited. These Eastern European teams play with a patience and persistence that provides a fantastic test for our players and nothing like they encounter at home. It is a real education.

We knew the next goal would be vital and thankfully, Jordan Patrick (above) converted our only chance of the half with a ferocious strike following Liam Hughes' pass. By now it was a rear guard action as Kiev really committed players forward and it looked like we had drawn their sting before a goalkeeping error handed them a lifeline.

This was compounded when Seb Brown was sin binned (the five minute punishment for a yellow card), leaving us with 10 players and with no keeper on the bench, Liam Hughes was forced to don the gloves. We survived this period thanks to unbelievable work rate and 1v1 defending before seeing out six minutes of additional time back at full strength.

The players thoroughly deserved the accolades and compliments that followed from everyone. We were the fairest team (with no dismissals and only one yellow card in five matches), we had the best defensive record, the best attacking record and were the only team to win every group game. Whilst Kiev put us under enormous pressure in the final, our resilience and organisation saw us through.

It was a fantastic effort by the players at the end of a long season and a fitting way to end such a successful campaign. Adam Marriott was deservedly voted Player of the Tournament whilst the outstanding Luke Berry could not have been far behind in the reckoning. A special mention as well for Josh Cooper who adapted well to playing at left back and grew in stature throughout the tournament.

Team:
Brown, McGeorge, Cooper, Coakley, Hudson, Hughes, Patrick, Berry, Bailey (Moody 45 (Kessack 65)), Marriott, Ives.

Jez George
Director of Youth Football

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