Here we go, here we go, here we go .
GB are Beijing bound
Futsal WHAT?
Futsal explained
The following article is reproduced by kind permission of the Football Association.
By Matt Phillips. Tuesday, 02 October 2007.
The Great Britain Blind Squad were celebrating at the weekend after making next year's Paralympics in Beijing by finishing as runners up at the European Championships in Greece.
Reigning European champions, Spain, proved too strong for GB in Sunday's final and retained their title with a 5-0 win but Great Britain's superb campaign means that they'll be heading to China next year.
GB held Spain to a thrilling 3-3 draw in the group stage and team manager, Tony Larkin, was delighted that his ten man squad built on that result to reach the final: "We came to Greece with two main aims. One was to make the final and therefore secure a Paralympics place and the second was to be European Champions.
"Unfortunately that wasn't to be so we must now go away and work incredibly hard if we are to make an impact in Beijing."
Two goals from Darren Harris gave GB a 2-1 victory over France in the semi final and the team's performance manager, Jeff Davis, believes that the squad will be even better when the Beijing tournament rolls around next year: "Tony was able to give every member of the squad experience and this will be invaluable for future competition.
"Looking forward we have an emerging team with next year's Paralympics, the World Blind Championships in England in 2010 and the Paralympics in London 2012 to look forward to.
"It is a very exciting time for our blind players".
GB received their silver medals from British Ambassador, Simon Gass, and their runners up finish means they've moved up a place to fifth in the world rankings.
To follow the VI GB squad's progress please visit http://www.thefa.com/England/DisabledTeams/ then select from ' More Disabled Teams News'
Quite simply when you take to the pitch as a VI player to kick a ball and score goals you are playing football. Futsal is football; the game isn't fundamentally different but the 'laws of the game' make it more skilful and faster flowing . exciting or what!
The main differences are that the ball is either in or out of play, dictated by the court markings so walls can't be used and this adds to the skill level required. The ball can go over head height and players can go anywhere on the court, even in the goal areas, and it uses a 'no bounce' size 4 ball, whatever the age group.
Rolling substitutions ensure that the game maintains its speed and doesn't slow as players become fatigued but it also allows greater participation numbers.
The goals are similar in size to those used in field hockey or handball and the game is played on a court measuring 40m x 20m maximum which is controlled by two referees so that everything is seen.
One of the most restricting laws is that each team can commit a maximum of 5 fouls in each half before any further fouls are punished by an unopposed 10m penalty kick which reduces the physical contact but contributes towards the excitement when fouls are committed.
At in ternational level we play 20 minutes each way in real time so the clock stops when the ball goes out of play.
In general terms, the game has evolved to be spectator friendly but also to develop the skill level of the players. It's fast, with end to end action whereby the result can hang by a thread until the very last second.
Give it a go . it really is a fantastic game to play, watch and coach.
By Liz Smith and George Ferguson
