An Academy Under-14 squad will class their tournament in Overijse in Belgium very much in the "experience gained" category, finishing 17th in a field of 24 teams. As so often, it seems, an early defeat cost the Canaries dear in an opening game they really should have won against a local side. Later, having failed to qualify for the last sixteen, the Canaries rallied to win what Ricky Martin called the "Inter-Toto" competition for places 17 to 24 and finish on a positive note. The trip had it's challenges even before the Canaries left Norwich. A strike at Heathrow meant that Ricky Martin had to organise a last-minute change in travel arrangements, luckily finding a good alternative as the squad travelled by Eurostar train from Waterloo to Brussels.

Ricky Martin encourages his team in Belgium

City put pressure on the Diegem Sports goal

Overijse is a small town just outside Brussels and the Canaries had excellent lodgings at a sports centre on the edge of Brussels where the French national hockey side were also staying. Saturday morning saw two group games on the schedule. Local side Diegem Sports had qualified for the tournament the previous week and were City's first opponents. City had by far the better of the game, creating three or four clear chances but they failed to bring their early morning shooting boots with them. In the second-half Digem got a goal from a free-kick and the game was lost.

The unexpected defeat left Norwich with it all to do against Belgium first division club Mouscron. The Canaries however failed to get into the game and trailed 2-0 at half-time. Despite a couple of good chances the heads dropped somewhat and City ended up on the end of a 4-0 defeat. Having now finished bottom of their group Norwich were left to play in a mini-competition for places 17 to 24. Academy Manager Ricky Martin challenged the squad to respond in the best way possible and win this mini-tournament.

Things are looking up for Mouscron as they take on City

Norwich on the defensive against Beveren

Saturday afternoon saw the first of these games against another Belgium first division club, Beveren. Norwich had the better of the first half going 1-0 up but had plenty of defending to do in the second-half as they managed to hang on to their slender lead. Sunday morning saw the final two games for the Canaries. The lads certainly came out looking a much better side than the day before and controlled their game against La Louviere. Despite having the upper-hand, City failed to break down their defensively minded opponents and the game went to penalties after a 0-0 draw.

City held their nerve during the penalties and went through after a fine save by the Canaries' keeper. In the "Final" for 17th Place, Norwich faced second division side Kortrijk. City continued to play good football and won an open game 4-2 to finish the tournament on a positive note and answer Ricky's challenge.

In full flight against La Louviere

Norwich go close against Kortrijk

Results table Opponents Result Scorers Diegem Sports 0-1   Excelsior Mouscron 0-4   Beveren 1-0 Simon Bird La Louviere 0-0 4-3 on pens Kortrijk (17th Place Final) 4-2 Chris Hall, Morten Thomsen, Simon Bird 2

City Line Up In Overijse

The Squad Declan Rudd, Tom Gowman, Louis Cutajar, Dario Dumic, Sam Habergham, Matthew Daniels, Jack Jones, Tom Adeyemi, Morten Thomsen, Chris Hall, Simon Bird, Daniel Compton, Jack Buckmaster, Chez Rust, Jake McCabe. Staff Ricky Martin (Academy Manager), Colin Watts (Youth Development Officer), Vicky Griffin (Physio), Brian Riemer (Assistant)

Report and Pictures courtesy of Paul Standley.