England Blind Men's team lose EURO opener against France

England suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of hosts France in the opening game of the IBSA European Blind Football Championship in Strasbourg on Monday afternoon.

Four goals from France’s Frédéric Villeroux put Les Bleus in control, despite Roy Turnham pulling a goal back for the Para Lions.

England started brightly, with Eesa Amjid having two great opportunities just a minute apart within the opening five minutes of the first half.

Frenchman Villeroux then opened the scoring for the hosts on five minutes, dribbling past three England players to place the ball into the bottom corner of Dylan Malpas’ goal.

Roy Turnham almost netted an equaliser in the eighth minute, forcing a smart near-post save from French goalkeeper Alessandro Bartolomucci.

Shortly after, Malpas was forced into action at the other end of the pitch to deny Villeroux a second goal.

Despite several England attempts to force an equaliser, Malpas came to the rescue in the ninth minute, making a wonderful diving save to keep Villeroux out again.

Villeroux found the net again in the 13th minute, nutmegging Malpas to extend the hosts’ lead.

Shimwell came close to regaining a goal for the Para Lions, firing just over the bar from close-range after some clever build-up play.

Half-time: France 2-0 England

Adam Bendall’s side, who won the IBSA Nations Cup in 2025 in India, failed to put the ball into the back of the net despite several strong opportunities.

Efe Shimwell was agonisingly close to finding the net in the second minute of the second half, though his short-range effort was dragged just wide of the right-hand post.

England found the net in superb style from a set piece following a first ‘team foul’ from France, with Turnham dribbling forward from the free-kick to find the bottom left-hand corner.

Villeroux netted his hat-trick just five minutes into the second half, to put further pressure on England.

Villeroux added a fourth for France halfway through the second half, dribbling past several England players to finish with the outside of his right boot.

Turnham’s attempt to pull a second goal back for England was denied with just under five minutes remaining, forcing a smart save from Bartolomucci.

Full-time: France 4-1 England
 
France starting XI: 1 Alessandro Bartolomucci, 5 Hakim Arezki, 6 Martin Baron, 9 Khalifa Youmé, 10 Frédéric Villeroux.

England starting XI: 1 Dylan Malpas (GK), 6 Efe Shimwell, 7 Toby Addison, 9 Roy Turnham, 10 Eesa Amjid.

Who England play next

The Para Lions quickly have a chance go get their first points on the board, playing Germany on Tuesday (12.30pm BST).

Their final group game with Greece will be played on Wednesday 19 August (12.30pm BST) before the competition splits into the knockout and final placing stage, with the semi-finals and 5-8 placement games scheduled for Friday 21 August.