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Published 24 April 2023 4 min read
England Para Teams

EURO preparations ramp up as England Cerebral Palsy host Tri-Nations

Written by:

Frank Smith

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Round-up as England Cerebral Palsy face the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland as part of the CP Tri-Nations at St. George’s Park

England Cerebral Palsy stepped up their preparation for the 2023 IFCPF European Championship by taking on two of the world’s top ten sides in recent days.

The FA hosted a CP Tri-Nations tournament at St. George’s Park from Friday to Sunday as the Para Lions build towards hopefully winning a medal at the IFCPF EURO, which takes place at the CFF Tino Carta in Oristano, Sardinia, between June 2-10.

As was the case at last year’s World Cup, England CP will once again face the Netherlands in the group stage at the EURO and the Dutch were one of the three teams taking part over the weekend, along with the Republic of Ireland.

On Friday England CP enjoyed a 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland, who are ranked eighth in the world, courtesy of goals from captain Matty Crossen, striker Sam Dewhirst and the dangerous David Porcher.

David Porcher was back starring for the England CP team and back among the goals
David Porcher was back starring for the England CP team and back among the goals

The Republic of Ireland would go on to beat the Netherlands 3-1 before England CP faced the Dutch for the third time in a year on Sunday.

The two sides shared a 1-1 draw in the group stage of the 2022 IFCPF World Cup last before they couldn’t be separated in normal time once again in the fifth-sixth-place match, with the Netherlands winning on penalties.

It was the Dutch who were to edge another close encounter once again at the CP Tri-Nations, with a second-half red card for Crossen and three enforced changes contributing to a 4-3 defeat for the Para Lions.

It was a special day for Jayden Kenyon though as after making his senior team debut, he scored his first goal in the 4-3 defeat, with Dewhirst and Porcher grabbing the others.

Most of the England CP players who went to last year's IFCPF World Cup were part of the CP Tri-Nations squad
Most of the England CP players who went to last year's IFCPF World Cup were part of the CP Tri-Nations squad

There were also development team games between England CP and the Netherlands on Friday and Saturday, with both finishing 3-2 to the Para Lions.

England CP kick off their 2023 IFCPF European Championship against Spain (ranked 12th) on June 2 before taking on Italy (20th) two days later.

The Para Lions (fourth) will then face the Netherlands (sixth) once again on June 6 before the next stage of the competition and ranking matches begin on June 8.

England CP will then be hoping they can reach the final on Saturday 10 June.

The squad for the 2023 IFCPF European Championship is set to be announced later this week and will be published here on englandfootball.com.

England CP squad for Tri-Nations

Giles Moore, Reegan McMillan, Ryan Kay, Harry Baker, James Blackwell, Matty Crossen, Sam Dewhirst, Mason Dunbar, Liam Irons, Jayden Kenyon, Aaron Lucas, David Porcher, Will Ramsey, Matty Robinson

England CP team

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