The first weekend of June saw Norwich Under-14's travel to the Baisieux tournament in France. The young side at times played some inspired football to finish third in a high-class tournament. As always it seems, Norwich started the tournament slowly and drew 0-0 in their first game against Valenciennes. Both teams had chances but were obviously finding their feet in Baisieux. The second game of the day offered Norwich an excellent chance to hit form as they faced the hosts and local amateur side Baisieux Patro. Academy manager Ricky Martin challenged the team to go out and get some goals and they responded with four without reply in the two twelve-minute halves.

Norwich go close against Baisieux Patro on the first day

City needed to work hard against Werder Bremen

The last game of the first day was against Belgium club RAEC Mons. The French had looked a good side in their opening games but Norwich were now growing in confidence and won the game 2-0 to finish off a good opening day. The second day saw two games planned for the Canaries. It was clear to all that the game against Werder Bremen of Germany would be decisive with both teams well positioned in the group. Bremen provided difficult opposition and often put the Norwich defence under pressure but Norwich kept their cool and won the game with a first-half strike on the break and a second-half penalty.

Other results meant that City had qualified for the semi-finals before their final group game against Wasquehal. The Canaries couldn't raise their performance to previous heights and the game finished 0-0. City faced last year's winners OSC Lille in the semi-final early on the Monday morning. Lille were physically a much bigger side than Norwich and it was clear a hard match was on the cards. Despite this Norwich started well and played some good football in the opening ten minutes before Lille used their height advantage to go 2-0 up by half-time.

Action from the hard-fought semi-final against OSC Lille

A Norwich player shields the ball against Den Haag

City fought back as well they could and pulled a goal back with a penalty but in the end Lille were just too strong and Norwich had to settle for a place in the third place play-off. Norwich picked themselves up from the semi-final disappointment to put in a fine fighting performance against Den Haag of Holland to win third place with a 2-0 win. Having suffered a couple of injuries during the tournament, Norwich were down to the "bare bones" for the match, a fact that makes the result all the more impressive. Not only did Norwich pick up the third-place trophy, they also scored the most goals in the tournament and won the trophy for the best attack. Norwich did themselves proud both on and off the pitch over the three days to leave a tired but happy group to make their way back to Norfolk.

Results table Opponents Result Scorers Valenciennes 0-0   Baisieux Patro 4-0 Mads Hvilson, Sam Habergham, Jordan Southgate, Morten Thomsen RAEC Mons 2-0 Dario Dumic, Morten Thomsen Werder Bremen 2-0 Owen O'Herlihy, Dario Dumic (pen.) Wasquehal 0-0   OSC Lille (Semi-final) 1-2 Morten Thomsen (pen.) Den Haag(3rd Place Play-Off 2-0 Morten Thomsen 2

Presentation for Third Place and Top attacking team

The Squad

The Travelling Squad Cherno Bari, Jordan Bond, Richard Brindley, Joe Clarke, Louis Cutejar, Dario Dumic, Remy Gordon, Sam Habergham, Mads Hvilson, Ryan Oakley, Owen O'Herlihy, Jordan Southgate, Jed Steer, Morten Thomsen Staff Ricky Martin (Academy Manager), Ken Adey (Assistant), Suzanne James (Physio).

For a further picture gallery from the tournament please click here. Report and Pictures courtesy of Paul Standley.