Clubs | On and off the field success for Lenzie at Gothia Cup | |
 Lenzie Youth Club 1997 (pictured, right) have just returned from the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden, where they had an amazing time. Over the seven days they played 10 games in their section they finished in 3rd place. Click here for a full photo gallery from their time at the tournament.The Glasgow & District YFL side kicked off by winning 4-0 against Bochum from Germany, but then lost narrowly to Swedish pro-youth side Norrkopping 1-0 with the Swedes scoring from a penalty. Following the setback Lenzie went on a great run of five wins including a 3-0 win over a strong Finnish side, to take them through to the quarter finals. The last eight from 224 teams that started out in this age group. Lenzie drew Hertfordshire County select from England in their quarter final tie and although Lenzie had more of the play they could not get the vital goal with the game finishing 0-0 and going straight to penalties. At the end of five spot kicks both teams reamained equal, but Lenzie had their seventh penalty saved to go out. The Scottish youngsters played some excellent football, scored some great goals and defended well. Although the boys were bitterly disappointed they can be proud of their performances. Lenzie went on to play two more games getting a 1-0 win over Chantilley (France) and another 1-0 win over Baghdad Youths from Iraq. Lenzie built up a great relationship with the Iraqi boys and exchanged shirts with them. Also, in the school where the team were staying they formed friendships with Happy Valley from Hong Kong and a youth team from Zambia. The Gothia aim is "Meet the world - Friendship through sport" and Lenzie achieved this. The Zambian team were keen to link up with someone from Scotland as Dr David Livingstone is still revered there. The boys from Zambia told them a little about life in their country which is very poor, they had accepted a sponsorship from SKF (the Gothia Cup main sponsor) to attend the event. They could not afford shin guards, using cardboard for this, so some of the Lenzie team along with other teams left them their shin pads. Before the team left for home a Gothia Cup official requested that they come back next year, as he felt not only did they play good football but they had shown the attitude they wanted to see at the event. An invitation was given to be involved in the opening Ceremony as "Scotland". |