We arrived at Girona Airport to the news that Liverpool had miraculously recovered from 3-0 down to take the Champions League Final into extra time. We rushed back to the hotel by coach, listening to a very garbled Spanish and French radio commentary on the bus and then saw the penalty shoot out which brought the famous trophy back to these shores. Lee our resident Liverpool fanatic was ecstatic.
We settled in at the hotel, with some lucky enough to enjoy beautiful seaviews from their room balconies. Some pre-Tournoi thirst was quenched at the next-door bar and we particularly appreciated the free round of drinks because the beer was not cold enough!!! As usual all the teams arrived over the 3 days, and again as usual the Italian group of 55 was the largest. In total there were approx 220 people at the Tournoi. It was great to see all the old faces once again.
People kept themselves busy all day on Thursday either on the beach, shopping or with a trip into Barcelona to see the Nou Camp stadium and the sights of Barcelona. It was a nice relaxing day and good preparation for the matches on Friday.
We arrived in a fleet of coaches at the football pitches on Friday afternoon. The opening ceremony was a bit disjointed this year, but the Loko team proudly stood kitted out in red London 2012 Olympic Candidate City t-shirts. Once the ceremony and pictures were finished it was on to pitch 2 to open the tournoi against Inter Barna (the second Spanish team). We started well and controlled the first half completely. We opened the scoring when Alain ran down the left using his pace and hit the back of the net from the angle. Moments later Mark ran into the area, rounded the keeper but was pulled back and Lee stepped up to take the kick. He nestled it into the net hitting it just to the keepers left.
The second half was much different to the first and everyone seemed to get very nervous, Inter Barna got a debatable penalty decision go their way and all of a sudden they were back in it. Tension sprung up all over the field and arguments involving Julian, Lee, Paul, Adrian, and Dale all broke out. Thankfully Alain scored a third and this wrapped up the victory, but the 20 minutes squabbling was a disgrace. However, it was from this low point that the team spirit in the camp just grew and grew.
In the following game against Belgium we performed magnificently, but somehow contrived to end up losing 1-0. We battled all over the park and we were winning all our personal battles. Abdel rounded the keeper and was cruelly brought down when the goal was a certainty. The keeper, who should have been sent off, judged correctly and saved Lee's penalty. A moment later and they were ahead, Dale and Rohan did not deal with a long ball upfield and the ball was placed in between Paul and Andy and the striker nipped in to score. A comedy of errors and instead of being deservedly ahead we were now 1-0 down. We continued to press; Rohan stretched and couldn't convert from two yards, Abdel headed over when stretching for a lovely cross by Andreas. In the second half it was all England, Mark had a couple of great chances but in the end it just wasn't to be our game. One win and one loss but things were still all to play for the next morning.
After dinner our Spanish hosts laid on a surprise boat trip along the coast with a free bar and nibbles. It turned out to be a lovely end to the day and commendably, discipline held firm and all the team were in bed by 12.30am.
Saturday and against Italy this was the game we had to win. We started the game magnificently again and were 1-0 up early on as Alain once again ran down the left and hit the back of the net with aplomb. We had chance after chance after chance but just couldn't nick that crucial second goal. The Italians had only one 40 yard shot in the first half. After the match, our contact in the Italian team commented that during their half time talk they were in complete disarray, our play on the wings were described as being like a knife through butter!!! Unfortunately a change of formation at half-time was a mistake, the change to 4-5-1 allowed the Italians to get onto a strong footing, after being totally outplayed in the first half.
They attacked and created some good chances, but we were holding strong until a controversial decision to award a penalty for a challenge in the penalty box allowed them back into the game. It was a blatant dive, but we should have known better not to risk such a challenge against the Italians in the penalty box. They ultimately kept us out of the semi-finals by scoring three minutes from the end straight from a corner, it was a misjudged call by Andy and the ball sailed towards the back post where Alain could not keep it out, heading it on to the crossbar where it bounced down over the line. It was a killer blow and to be honest a poor way of missing the semi-finals.
In the afternoon we went back and showed everyone how we could play against Switzerland. The game started well for Loko as Andy performed the hakka in the center circle. After that it was all Loko in the match, with the Swiss allowed only one shot in the last minute. Dale opened the scoring when Lee won a good header that landed about 6 yards out, the keeper came out and he lobbed the ball over the keeper and defender into the far corner. Nimble Andreas got the second to make it 2-0 at half-time. Everyone was playing well and we pushed on allowing Andreas to score two more great goals, it was a very good performance and ended up being the biggest win of all the games in the Tournoi. It allowed run outs for Hakim, Bryan, Ivan and Ian and it was a great way to end the games.
The Gala presentation evening was fun, although a bit on the quiet side and we really tried to get the atmosphere going with plenty of singing..."Alain Giants Magic...", Alain's wine drinking skills were not however as good as his goal scoring skills, but he was still awarded the Loko Player of the Tournoi award. We got our 5th place trophy but sat in the knowledge that we had had the beating of the two finalists (Italy and Belgium) and should have been there collecting that first place trophy. We knew we had been the best team in the Tournoi but our finishing cost us dearly.
Sunday was spent mostly on the beach in soaring temperatures and a few drinks were had in the evening, as some had to catch their flights early on Monday morning so it was a relatively quiet night.
The Monday was also relaxing and was spent taking it easy, enjoying the market and botanical gardens of Blanes. All in all, apart from 20 minutes of the trip, the boys were absolutely fantastic and the team spirit was the best I have ever seen, the football played, was at times outstanding and if this team can continue in this vein, then there is no reason we cannot have a successful season in the Barnesalona League and bring that first place trophy back from Hungary next year.
I'm sure we all give our thanks to Ismail for all he has done for the club, who has now retired as manager and wish the new manager Julian, lots of luck and success for the future.
Thanks go to all, it will live long in the memory..... .....one more time.....
"ooooooohhhhhh, Alain Giants Magic, he wears a magic hat, he plays for lokomotiv, he's such a lovely chap, he scores with his left foot and he scores with his....left, and when we play Inter Barna he scores all F**king night, ooooohhhhhhhh"
England Group Stage Results
Friday 27th May 2005
England 3 v Inter Barna 1
(2.00pm)
Alain (2), Lee (1 pen)
England 0 v Belguim 1
(4.00pm)
Saturday 28th May 2006
England 1 v Italy 2
(9.30am)
Alain (1)
Group A Table
1. Italy P3 W3 D0 L0 P9
2. Belguim P3 W1 D1 L1 P4
3. England P3 W1 D0 L2 P3
4. Inter Barna P3 W0 D1 L2 P1
5th/6th Play Off
Saturday 28th May 2006
England 4 v Switzerland 0
(3.00pm)
Dale (1), Andreas (3)
Scorers:
1. Alain (3)
=. Andreas (3)
2. Dale (1)
=. Lee (1)
Final Position: 5th Place
Record: W2 D0 L2
Player of the Tournoi: Alain
Tournoi Overall Result:
Winners: Italy
Runners Up: Belguim
3rd: Hungary
4th: France
5th: England
6th: Switzerland
7th: Inter Barna
8th: Spain
