Fulham's Academy Scholars returned from Germany on Monday afternoon following a successful showing in the U19 International Sparkasse & VGH Cup in Gottingen.
Gary Brazil's side reached the Quarter Finals of the five-a-side competition that saw two of Fulham's Scholars voted star players of the tournament. Brazil was delighted with the Club's decision to participate in the tournament which provided a timely boost ahead of Thursday night's FA Youth Cup Fourth Round tie against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
"The tournament was in Gottingem in Germany and we were there from Wednesday until Monday," Brazil explained. "It was a five-a-side tournament with a lot of Bundesliga sides involved as well as some local teams and then some big-hitters like FC Copenhagen and Austria Vienna.
"The experience was priceless - both educationally for the kids and for us to learn more about them. I wasn't sure what we were going to get because it's the first time we've done it with kids of this age but they can take a lot of credit for they way they conducted themselves and the way they played. We did well to get to the Quarter Finals but we got knocked out by Austria Vienna on penalties which was disappointing.
"Marcus Bettinelli was voted best goalkeeper of the tournament whilst Marcello Trotta was voted most valuable player of the tournament by the other coaches. We were actually quite young and could have gone with an older age group but we thought it would be most beneficial for this age group."
With last week's extreme weather conditions ruling out training across most football academies in the UK the decision to take part in a competitive tournament in Germany proved a masterstroke by Fulham's Academy Management Team and Brazil was quick to point out the additional benefits of competition football for the Club's Scholars.
"We could have stayed here for the last four or five days but we wouldn't have been able to train on the pitches so our work would have been done indoors. To get away and have the experience we've had has been absolutely spot on.
"The tournament was inside a big hanger that used to make locomotives which was left derelict and has now been turned into a conference centre. It was set up with two banks of 4,000 seats and it was a completely different demand on the boys. We work hard, train hard and play hard but on a Saturday morning nothing really changes win, lose or draw.
"This sort of tournament and what we've got on Thursday with the FA Youth Cup - if you lose, you go home. It was nice to see the boys put under pressure and rise to the challenge and do well. We had a situation on Sunday morning when we lost to Wolfsburg and we had to beat Werder Bremen by two goals to go through to the Quarter Finals. We won two-nil. The response from the audience there and how they accepted us - we were a very popular team.
"I can't put a value on how good an experience it has been for the kids and also for the staff. We've learnt a lot about our players. We need to expose the boys to tournament football. There is the danger with Academy football that, other than in the Youth Cup, a boy can get through to First Team football never having been exposed to managers and coaches that have to win matches to stay in their jobs and play for your living. Maybe Academy football can protect you from that sometimes so this experience has been brilliant."
Brazil and his U18 side will travel to the Reebok Stadium for Thursday night's FA Youth Cup (Fourth Round) clash with Bolton and Brazil is now hoping his side will rise to the challenge and seal a date with North London rivals Arsenal in the next round.
"The tournament in Germany was great preparation for Thursday night's game," said Brazil. "I had a conversation with the boys on Monday afternoon after they finished training and said that we must maintain our focus and make sure we look after ourselves properly so we are ready for Thursday night. We looking forward to it and we've got an opportunity to go up there and give another good account of ourselves and the reward for going through is a game against Arsenal who will be waiting for the winners."
