The visit of an Academy Under-14 squad to a tournament in Lohne, near Bremen in Germany, belongs very firmly in the “experienced gained” category. Academy Assistant Manager Dean Rastrick and coach Phil Bugg were in charge of a very young and physically small squad compared to some of the better Bundesliga sides in the competition. The tournament started with a match against an even younger side from German Bundesliga club Hansa Rostock. City controlled the majority of the match but failed to convert their domination into goals. Rostock only managed to get near the Norwich goal twice in the second-half as Norwich continued to press, but as so often happens, the Germans converted one of those chances and went on to win the match 1-0. Photos from match v Rostock.

Photos from match v Rostock

The second match saw City face Danish side Koge. Following the disappointment against Rostock, the coaches were looking for a response in this game but it was not to be. The Danes were a strong and good side and Norwich couldn't find their way into the game. To be fair the Danes went on to win the tournament and Norwich didn't have a chance as Koge eased to a 2-0 victory. Photos from the match v Koge.

Photos from the match v Koge

The last match on Saturday saw Hannover 96 provide the oppostion. Although the Germans were not as strong as Koge, the Canaries failed to find their best form and fighting spirit. Hannover never looked in danger as they also beat the City 2-0. Photos from the match v Hannover.

Photos from the match v Hannover

After a good nights sleep in the youth hostel in nearby Damme, Norwich came out determined to do better against Osnabrueck in the first match on Sunday morning. Indeed the Canaries dominated the match against the side from the German Second division club, hitting the bar and forcing the keeper into several good saves. Again however they failed to find the killer punch. The second half saw an open game and one minute from time Osnabrueck scored to secure an undeserved vitory. Photos from the match v Osnabrueck.

Photos from the match v Osnabrueck

The final group game was against group winners Hertha Berlin on the large stadium pitch. Despite the apprehension before the match of your writer, this proved to be the best performance that the Canaries put in over the weekend. They fought all the way against a physically and technically strong side, not giving an inch. Together with a great goalkeeping performance they secured a well deserved point in a 0-0 draw. Photos from the match v Hertha Berlin.

Photos from the match v Hertha Berlin

Norwich finished the tournament with a play-off game against hosts Blau-Weiss Lohne. As the rain started to come down in northern Germany an open game developed which at least saw City score a well-worked goal and win a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. Photos from the match v Hertha Berlin.

Photos from the match v BW Lohne

Norwich will have been disappointed not to have played better and finished higher in the tournament, but they certainly put in a spirited performance on the second day and both players and coaches will undoubtedly have learnt from the experience.

City Squad: Cieran Beales, Michael Clunan, Tom Collier, Ryan Crisp, Alistair Durrant, Ryan Fryatt, Peter Grant, Luke Hannant, Vincent Hart, Ryan Hutton, Thomas Jex, Michael Johnson, Joshua Knights, Remi Matthews, Sam Neil. Staff: Dean Rastrick (Academy Assistant manager), Phil Bugg (Coach), Paul Taylor (Assistant), Ben Harwood (Physio). Report and Photos from Paul Standley.