Watford Success in Europe
Eurocopa 2025 Albufeira Portugal
On Sunday 27th April, representative squads for the over 50’s and over 60’s from Watford walking Football Club flew out to Portugal to play in the Eurocopa 2025 walking Football tournament (the biggest in Europe) the tournament drew together 48 teams from all over Europe, being staged at FC Ferreiras on the outskirts of Albufeira, using their main pitch and adjoining astro turf pitches, the format was multi touch, and 16 minute games, the aim to qualify for either the Cup or Trophy competitions. The 2-day tournament kicked off on Monday 28th April in bright sunshine and concluded on a cooler but humid Tuesday evening with the finals and presentations.
Day one, Monday 28th April
50s
Match 1. The 50’s squad kicked off their first of 7 games playing the host club FC Ferreirason the grass, a good footballing performance saw us take the lead, we continued to dominate possession but unfortunately got caught on the break late on and the game ended 1-1
Match 2. saw the 50’s face another team from Portugal, East Algarve on the grass, this was a very physical game with excellent football from both sides and ended in another 1-1 draw.
Match 3. Next up for the 50’s were the reigning champions Malaga, Doug had now joined the squad after flying in straight from his BAFTA award ceremony, played again on the grass this was another very physical contest with some great one and two touch football played by both sides, we thought we had done enough to earn the victory but another 1-1 draw was the final result.
Match 4. This game saw the 50’s play for the first time on Astro and while playing some really good football were caught on the break twice and recorded a disappointing loss going down 2-1 to Pollock United.
Match 5. We switched back to the grass to face Scarborough Barons, a close game with few chances ended in another draw 0-0.
Match 6. Returning to the Astro and feeling like the footballing gods were against us we faced an unbeaten team in West Hartlepool Strollers. Again, another physical side with Afzal feeling the full force of (Accidental contact?) we dug deep and recorded our first victory running out 1-0 victors.
Match 7. After a long, hot and humid day, amidst the countrywide power outage the 50’s faced Manchester Old Boys back on the Astro, we completely dominated possession and the ball but unbelievably ended up losing 1-0.
60s
Match 1. The 60’s played their first game on grass against Malaga and drew 1-1a good performance against tough opposition.
Match 2. Still on the grass the 60’s faced east Riding rangers and played some good football against a good side eventually losing out 2-1 in a gam that could of gone either way.
Match 3. The 60’s didn’t have to wait as long to record their first victory of the tournament beating Portuguese side Quarteirense WF on the Astro 2-1 with some really good one and two touch football.
Match 4. Back on the grass the 60’s faced West Hartlepool strollers and in another physical battle ended up drawing 1-1.
Match 5. Returning to the Astro did not prove lucky for the 60’s as they narrowly lost to Bolton Power 1-0.
Match 6. The 60’s played Weston Super Mare on the grass and in a battling performance where nothing seemed to come of for them ended up losing 2-0.
Match 7. In the final game of the day for the 60’s and with the vocal support of the 50’s who had completed their day one schedule, Watford faced Torquay United for more than just points but for bragging rights back at the hotel we were sharing with Torquay. In a very entertaining game with some great football the 60’s completed their day one schedule with a 2-0 Victory.
With the power outage across the whole of Portugal, we were left to try and work out our standings without the aid of apps, it looked as though both sides would qualify for the trophy and still a chance of European Glory. Navigating the hotel stairs and having a shower by mobile phone torch light was interesting as the power outage continued into the night. Finding a local restaurant with a gas grill / barbecue to provide us with food was amazing and a night we will not forget (the power outage night) Obviously after such a hard day of football and the prospect of Trophy glory the next day we were all tucked up in bed really early!!
Day 2 Tuesday 29th April
60s
Match 1. The 60’s in the Trophy Phase 2 kicked off on the Astro against French side Stade Ruffecois, it was exactly the start they were looking for, playing some decent football and winning 1-0
Match 2. Switching back to the Grass the 60’s battled hard against a very good technical side Leisure United eventually losing 2-0.
Match 3. Back to the Astro the 60’s regained their composure on the ball beating Scarborough Barons 1-0 in a very good display.
Match 4. Remaining on the Astro another really good performance from the 60’s saw them earn a good draw against Teign Drifters WF.
Match 5. Back on the turf the 60’s faced a really strong Portuguese side Quarteirense WF in a game that created few chances but could of gone either way a 0-0 draw seemed a fair result.
Match 6. Qtr Final. The 60’s reaching the Quarter Final of the Trophy returned to the grass and in front of a packed home stand ran out 4-1 winners, Grant Proudfoot bagging all four goals. But it was Terry Magee who had the Supporters chanting his name every time he touched the ball, “Terry” “Terry” a great team performance.
Match 7. Semi -Final. As the 2nd day of Walking football was drawing to a close the 60’s played their Semi-Final on the Grass against Scarborough Barons who they had beaten earlier in the day on the Astro, it was a really good game with chances at both ends, at the full time whistle the teams could not be separated as it finished 0-0, the dreaded Penalty shoot out for a place in the Trophy Final….Unfortunately it was not meant to be as the 60’s lost on Penalties in the Semi-Final but what a 2 day journey well done to all involved a credit to the club. There is always next year…..
The 50’s Day 2 Journey….
Match 1. Day 2 saw the 50’s kick off on the grass against Clacton Knights, a tough game where we dominated possession again, but unfortunately did not capitalise on chances created saw it end 1-1.
Match 2. After a disappointing start to day 2 the 50’s moved back to the Astro for a clash with Cardiff City, a totally dominant performance with some excellent one touch football saw Mark Williams open the scoring with a self-made long range effort, which seemed to ease the pressure, and Watford went on to run out 6-1 winners only conceding from a controversial penalty award.
Match 3. Moving back to the main stadium to play on the grass we faced what seemed to be our nemesis both the 50’s and 60’s had played Scarborough Barons more than any other team as well as having some good banter with them in the stands the games were hard fought and physical. After a really close game of few chances the 50’s lost 1-0.
Match 4. Moving back to the Astro, the 50’s faced Portuguese team Silver Coast Strollers, another physical game which saw Watford with plenty of possession but unable to capitalise and eventually losing 1-0.
Match 5. This crucial game for the 50’s meant a win would put them through to the Knockout stages of the trophy, a draw or a loss and it was the end of the Journey. Facing Teign Drifters back on the grass, we changed formation slightly and ran out 1-0 winners.
Match 6. Trophy Qtr Final. The 50’s were drawn against Portuguese side SC Farense who qualified in top spot for the quarter finals, this was a very physical game, our formation had to change due to Injury, in a battling performance the 50’s ran out 1-0 winners (Ash) much to the distain of the Portuguese side.
Match 7. Semi Final. The Semi Final of the Trophy saw the 50’s drawn against Scarborough Barons who although we had played well against previously had not been able to beat. It was one of those opportunities to put things right, in a very competitive game of really good one and two touch football from both teams, the Barons took the lead before the resilience and determination of the now depleted 50’s squad kicked in, some fantastic moves and football saw Ash score twice to beat the Barons and Watford progress to the Trophy Final.
Match 8. Final. In front of the home stand on the main pitch, Watford Walking Football Club over 50’s walked out of the tunnel with their opponents Santos WF Nottingham. The final was played over two 10-minute halves. Santos had a large squad and kept us on our toes utilising substitutions regularly, we stayed focussed and even when going a goal down stayed organised and disciplined. The second half saw Watford dominate possession and chances,s coring 2 fantastic goals (Doug) to seal the Victory and lift the trophy.
An amazing tour to Portugal, 2 fantastic days of Walking Football with 48 teams, 500 participants from across Europe competing at a high standard. Of course getting to the Semi Final in the 60’s Trophy and Winning the 50’s Trophy is amazing and will live in the memory forever, but… It was more than the football, it was everything that Watford Walking Football Club is about… Friendship, Banter, a sense of belonging, being part of something! and the fact that WE can still enjoy the game we love, thank you one and all for an amazing experience. Same time next year??
