Acadamy manager Ricky Martin took a travelling party of thirty-six to the Norhalne Cup, which was staged near Aalborg in North Denmark from the 5th to 7th May. The Norhalne Cup is a massive event, with over 400 girls and boys teams competing in different age groups in thirteen different locations just to the north of Aalborg and centred on the small village of Norhalne. Norwich took an Under-13 and Under-12 side to compete in the tournament's elite age group competitions and were based at the Oland Kroen Hotel. Under continental age limits the squads were split into a "born in 1992" squad and the under-12's became a '93 squad. Ricky also used the tournament to take a look at three Danish players who joined the 92's squad as guest players.

The city of Aalborg has many picturesque streets with typically colourful danish cottages

Training on wednesday evening with Greg Crane

A more than interesting development which may we may see more of in coming years. Anders, from Asmat El Ouargui's club Hvidovre, Dario (Himmelev) and Morten (Amager United) certainly acquitted themselves well during the tournament. Having arrived on the Wednesday evening there was time for a quick loosening up session on the local pitch before competition started in earnest on Thursday lunchtime. A strong 92's squad under the leadership of coach John Revell quickly integrated their new Danish colleagues and went from strength to strength during the tournament to finish up winning in the final against Cambridge City on Saturday evening. For details on the 92's competition click here.

The 93's were on their first trip abroad with coaches Greg Crane and Paul Taylor and found the going much tougher. Nevertheless they showed character and will have gained much experience after finishing in ninth place following a penalty shoot-out against FC Copenhagen. For details on the 93's matches click here. With competition over on Saturday, Sunday saw two friendlies against Ferrovario of Brazil for the 92's and against Brommapojkarna of Sweden for the 93's. The 2-0 victory against the Swedes was particularly pleasing the Scandanavians had won the 93's competition the previous day. Time was also found for a trip to the local Sommerland pleasure park in Faarup, while on Monday Ricky rounded off the trip by arranging friendlies against AGF of Aarhus before catching the flight home.

The 1992 Squad and coaches celebrate their cup win

The 93 Squad celebrate their penalty shoot-out success Action from Aalborg v Norwich in the 92 age group

Academy manager Ricky Martin was happy as he summarised the event. "The tournament was a great success, enabling us to take one of our biggest ever parties abroad." said the Academy Manager. "In England the Under-12's and 13's play in age groups dated from 1st September, however here we played in international age bands from January 1st. and we therefore had Under-12's mixed in with our Under-13's. Consequently our Under-12 squad was weakened but it gave us the chance to bring several new players in. These new squads enabled a fresh group of players to get together at the end of a busy season." "The 92's squad were excellent throughout the tournament and thoroughly deserved to be crowned champions."added Ricky. And what about the Danish guest players? "Having to bring in new players to fill up the squads, it enabled the Academy to invite some Danish players and some local Norfolk lads to allow myself and my coaching staff to run our eye over them as potential Academy signings. The invites to the Danish players was a new experience for the Academy and I thought it was a worthwhile exercise as all three players performed at a high level and we may see them playing again for the Norwich City Academy." "In summary the tournament was very well organised, the accommodation was first class and it enabled us to develop two squads through this international experience. Finally, thanks to FONCY for their financial support which allowed us to participate."

The Norwich Squad in Demark

The 92's City Squad: Sam Murphy, Jordan Southgate, Ed Paterson, Cherno Bari, Jed Steer, Sam Arthurton, Tom Gowman, Jack Jones, Sam Habergham, George Wilson, Jay Davies, Elliot Hunter, Anders Wilhelmsen, Dario Dumic, Morten Thomsen. The 93's City Squad: Wyatt Hill, Richard Brindley, Remy Gordon, Daniel Savory, Shane Risby, Joe Clark, Eion Gillan, Jackson Ramm, Jordan Bond, Ben Raynsford, Shannon Browne, Ryan Oakley, Jack Garrod, Robert Cooke, Eli Frankham. Staff: Ricky Martin (Academy Manager), Ken Adey (Education Officer), Victoria Lack (Physio), John Revell (92' coach), Greg Crane (93' coach), Paul Taylor (92' coach), Tommy Stewart (Assistant).

Report and Pictures courtesy of Paul Standley.