So. It turns out that our academy were over here in Germany last weekend for a fairly prestigious U-20 tournament down south. I'm a bit peeved that I didn't know about it in advance. Like me, you'll have to make do with some snippets from the local German press, which include pics and a couple of videos of our victory in the final.

Here's what I've been able to glean:

The tournament has been held annually for the last 37 years. We were the losing finalists last year, when Delfouneso was named the attacking player of the tournament - and we wouldn't have been able to attend this time round if we'd made it past Chelsea and into the academy final, which took place on the same weekend. So, this was an opportunity for a consolation prize for us.

The tournament attracted club sides from Brazil, Switzerland, Croatia and what seems to be the Turkish U-19 team. The eight teams were split into two groups of four - our group containing Hajduk Split, local German side Ergenzingen, and Sao Paulo. The top two teams from each group then went into the semis.

All the results are here:


Samstag, 10. Mai

13.30 Uhr: EC Sao Paulo - TuS Ergenzingen: 4:1
14.20 Uhr: Aston Villa - Hajduk Split: 1:1
16.00 Uhr: FC Thun - Türkei U 19: 2:1
16.50 Uhr: VfL Nagold - FSV Mainz 05: 0:2
17.40 Uhr: TuS Ergenzingen - Aston Villa: 0:4
18.30 Uhr: Hajduk Split - EC Sao Paulo:1:3

Sonntag, 11. Mai

13.30 Uhr: FSV Mainz - FC Thun: 3:1
14.20 Uhr: Türkei U 19 - VfL Nagold: 1:0
15.45 Uhr: Hajduk Split - TuS Ergenzingen: 0:0
16.35 Uhr: Aston Villa - EC Sao Paulo: 2:0
17.25 Uhr: CF Thun - VfL Nagold: 2:0
18.15 Uhr: Türkei U 19 - 1. FSV Mainz: 0:1

Montag, 12. Mai

SEMIS:

10.00 Uhr: Aston Villa - FC Thun: 1:0
11.15 Uhr: Mainz 05 - FC Sao Paulo: 7:6 n. E.

FINAL:

16.15 Uhr: Aston Villa - Mainz 05: 1:0


The final was watched by 8,000 spectators. Forrester got our winning goal a minute from the end after Mainz failed to clear a corner. Bannan was voted the player of the tournament.

There's a report (in German) of the final game here, which basically says that it wasn't a pretty game but adds that the most attacking team won.

And you can see pics of the two semis here - just click on one of the photos and you'll get a pop-up window. The semi between Mainz and Sao Paulo looks like it might have been a bit tasty ...

For the final itself, there's a video of the first half highlights here.

And a video of the second half highlights here.

The first half highlights aren't particularly illuminating, to be honest. But the second half is all Villa and you get to see Delfouneso on the ball quite a bit. As far as I can make out, Forrester did well to put the goal away also.

Thanks LIM.

Well done nippers!

Cheers, LiM. That's a really good precis of the event.

Congrats to the Villa nippers, and well done you :smt002

He really does have that spark and he is playing with and against guys who are older than him as well.

Nathan seems to have that little extra bit of class. You may laugh but the way he holds the ball and passes it reminds me a bit of Berbatov. A long way to go still for young Nathan but the tools are all there it seems.

Mazrim wrote:

Forrester really is looking the part and Delfouneso control and passing is very impressive to ally with his finishing. He could be as good as he wants to be. I wouldnt be suprised to see these two on the bench on occasion next season. Especially in the early cup fixtures and considering you can have 7 subs now.

Completely agree, the kid Delfouneso just oozes class imo, the control, skills and his ability to link the play and pass the ball are clear to see, i'd be absolutely amazed if he doesn't make an impact for the first team next season, there's just some youngsters where you can see they've got class written all over them and Nathan just personifies that.

=D>

Forrester really is looking the part and Delfouneso control and passing is very impressive to ally with his finishing. He could be as good as he wants to be.

I wouldnt be suprised to see these two on the bench on occasion next season. Especially in the early cup fixtures and considering you can have 7 subs now.

Thanks LostInMunich and well done to the lads.

Well done the babbies!

Just watched the video. Have to say that:
(a) how can anyone concentrate on a football match when their eyes must be bleeding from standing too close to the ref? I had to put on welding goggles just to watch that.
(b) how can anyone concentrate on a football match when their ears must be bleeding from that horrible fucking Burt Kaempeft music?
(c) The Mainz left half is a right fat bastard, isn't he?