News | Friday, 7th December 2018

England's men's deaf futsal squad prepare for Euros with help of Manchester Met

Among backroom staff is Dave Sims, Lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science

England men's deaf futsal squad prepared for the European Championships at Manchester Metropolitan
England men's deaf futsal squad prepared for the European Championships at Manchester Metropolitan (image: the FA)

England men’s deaf futsal squad finished their final preparations for the EDSO European Deaf Futsal Championship at Manchester Metropolitan University.

The Three Lions team used the sports facilities at the University's Cheshire campus in Crewe in the lead up to the tournament, which is being held in Finland.

Among the squad's backroom staff who are out in host city Tampere is Dave Sims, Lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science, who is providing fitness and nutrition advice and monitoring.

Sims was responsible in the first place for helping to bring the Three Lions team to the University for up to five training weekends to prepare for the Euros.

Manager Paul Harrison’s team, who secured their qualification for the competition in February, are currently ranked at 12th in Europe.

They haven’t competed at these championships for the past eight years but have high hopes of challenging the continent's best deaf nations this time around.

England kick-off their group stage against the world’s number one ranked team Russia on Friday (December 7), before facing Bulgaria the following day.

They then round-off the group stage against Sweden on Sunday, December 9, after which the competition goes into a knockout phase.

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