1ST Anniversary of England becoming World Champions- TWICE
Congratulations to both England teams who became World Champions at the inaugural FIWFA World Nations Cup held in August 2023 at St Georges Park, the FA home of all the England teams.
The England teams are also the current European Champions.
The tournament was hugely successful with 26 teams from 18 nations making it the largest ever international Walking Football tournament. The WFA supplied 18 referees, in what was a challenging and demanding event with over 100 matches over a 3 day period, and a fantastic team of volunteers who made sure everything went smoothly.
Final results and scores from the knockout rounds are shown below, and full results can be viewed on www.fiwfa.org
Teams
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Jersey, The Basque Country, Czech Republic, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Nigeria, Rwanda, Egypt and the Caribbean.
England scorers in the finals
Over 50’s
Crilley (pen)
Penalties: Lilley, Cafferty
Over 60’s
Collier (2), Pratten
Over 50’s report
In a superbly competitive Over 50’s World Nations Cup, England finally prevailed after some exciting and quality Walking Football. A straightforward qualification in the group stages saw the ageing Lions win all their games, with the Czech Republic and Spain proving very strong with 4-2 and 2-1 wins, respectively.
This set up a quarter-final against the impressive and constantly improving Basque Country. Don Ford gave England the lead, and at halftime, they had shown total domination. The second half proved a different affair. The Basques came alive and scored to even things up. Captain Steve Crilley then let a piledriver fly, which went through a crowd of players to beat an impressive keeper to take England into the semi-finals.
Spain, who had proved a tough opponent in the group stages, stood in their way as they beat an organised Caribbean team on penalties. They got the perfect start as they led after 5 minutes, England had only once been behind in their first game against Czech Republic so had to show character and strength. They bombarded the Spanish goalkeeper, but time and again, he made save after save. An area encroachment gave England a lifeline, and Crilley converted into the corner with aplomb. The second half was a similar story, and once again, it was Crilley who got England’s winner, England 2 Spain 1.
The final was another match-up from the group stages as the Czech Republic had beaten group B winners Italy. Once again England went a goal behind and had to dig deep. England’s keeper Micheal Orme sustained a severe hip injury and was replaced by Heath Underwood, and tactically, Ford and Groom were replaced by Dove and Lowe. England created several chances, but there seemed no way past the impressive Czech keeper. finally, after a brilliant double save and the Czech keeper on the ground, Crilley kept calm to roll in the equaliser. Chances came at both ends in the final few minutes, but a brilliant save from Underwood kept it at 1-1 for the dreaded penalties.
Ed Lilley and David Cafferty both scored theirs and two brilliant saves from Underwood meant England prevailed. After the tournament Coach David Castle said “ it’s been a great tournament and so competitive the lads showed so much character and belief, there was never any panic on the field, I’m just glad Lach Geddes (Manager) and me were not on heart monitors. ‘
Over 60’s report
England opened their account with a cagey 1-0 victory against France – a game they dominated but could not find the finishing touch until Spencer Pratten fired the winner in the last minute. We had a scare when a speculative long-shot was tipped onto the post by John Sykes. Steve Slater was superb in defence in this game. Early nerves seemed to be settled in game 2 against Basque Country – but with 3 goals dis-allowed, a missed penalty and the woodwork hit on 4 occasions, England again had to settle for a narrow 1-0 win, with Andrew Douglas scoring from the spot.
What a contrast to the 3rd game against South Korea. The opposition had a player red carded for a DOGSO after only 5 minutes for a clumsy challenge just as Dave Wandlass was about to shoot. Graham Collier scored from the penalty and by half time we were 8-0 up. At half time, we took a player off to make the sides even – but finished off with 16 goals – the loudest cheer of the day came when John Hammonds gave up his clean sheet to allow the only shot of the night in for a consolation goal. Milan Mazic with 4, Graham Collier with 3, Andrew Douglas 2, Neil Evans 3, Spencer Pratten 2, and Tony Jones and Dave Wandless with one each.
Onto day 2 and a match against unknown Japan – we must have had 90% possession. But the Japan team was well organized and played man-to-man marking with every player behind the ball. We hit the post on several occasions before Milan Mazic scored the only goal. The final group game was against Canada – who had already qualified for the quarter finals. They played their fringe players and we put 11 past them – goals coming from Milan Mazic 3, Graham Collier 3, Dave Wandless 2, Spencer Pratten 2, Steve Adcock 1
So early Saturday and the quarter finals – we were warming up with no sign of any opposition. The Caribbean Association arrived with 5 minutes spare, we lined up, did the respect handshake and they walked off disrespectfully without explanation, leaving everyone confused and frustrated. However, we were in the semi-finals.
Canada had surprised everyone and had overcome Northern Ireland in their last 8 game, so we faced a very different Canada team to the one in the group stages. But it was one way traffic and England were peaking at the right time – the Walking Football played was superb and the final score of 8-2 was a true reflection of our dominance. Goals coming from Steve Adcock x 3, Andrew Douglas 3, Milan Mazic, Neil Evans
And then the final – Italy had looked favourites to join us but the French saw to that winning a tight penalty shoot-out in their semi-final. We started very strongly and dominated the ball. Playing some of the best Walking Football I have had the pleasure of seeing. We passed the French off the park. Graham Collier hammered the first home when he intercepted a back-pass. The next was a Walking Football masterclass – from keeper to defenders to the midfield with a clever disguised pass from Andrew Douglas to Spencer Pratten to fire home.
This was quickly followed be a superb 3rd. Steve Slater’s long ball to Graham Collier who shot on the turn. 3-0 at half time.. We continued to dominate in the second half – we made lots of changes during this half to get every player on the pitch. John Sykes made one fine save, but that was the only attempt on our goal in the match. At the other end, Milan Mazic, Steve Adcock and Steve Borrow all had good chances saved. The final whistle came and the celebrations began – England had brought it home and become World Champions.
Not once did I have to make an enforced change due to a player being on 2 warnings. I am very proud of my squad for the way in which they approached the tournament – they played a dominant brand of Walking Football. We have received many, many compliments for the way we play the game.
