Para Lions build towards major tournaments

Both the England men’s Blind squad and the England Powerchair team were in action earlier this month as the Para Lions continue to build towards this year’s major tournaments.

The Blind squad achieved a third-place finish while the Powerchair team recorded some impressive results.

Blind men’s team place third

The England men’s Blind squad placed third at the Blind Men Quad-Nations tournament, as the Para Lions continue to build towards this summer’s IBSA Men's Blind Football European Championship which will be staged in Strasbourg, France in August.

England beat the USA 3-0 in their opening game, with goals from Efe Shimwell, Rainbow Mbuangi and Olly Johnson.

The Para Lions then overcame Poland in a 4-1 win, with Azeem Amir, Roy Turnham and Eesa Amjid all making the scoresheet.

Shimwell was on the scoresheet once again as England were defeated 3-1 by Japan but it didn’t matter, as they advanced to the semi-final of the competition.

Having already come up against Poland, this time, the Para Lions’ opponents were the winners. Shimwell scored his third goal of the tournament as it finished 1-1, but Poland won 2-1 on penalties to book their place in the final.

However, England ran out 7-0 winners over the USA in the third-place decider, with Amjid bagging a hat-trick, Mikey Poulli at the double and Johnson and Toby Williams both getting in on the action as the Para Lions took bronze.

Powerchair squad continue preparations

The England Powerchair team headed to Scotland for the EPFA Four Nations 2026 tournament which took place at the SportScotland National Sports Training Centre.

The Para Lions came up against two countries they will face at this year’s World Cup which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October.

England drew 1-1 with France in their opening game, taking a second half lead to follow up a strong first half showing against the world and European champions. Ed Common scored the Para Lions’ only goal four minutes from time before conceding with a minute left to play.

A 3-1 victory over Denmark followed. The first half was evenly contested, with Denmark opening the scoring with 17 minutes gone to go into the break a goal to the good. But the Para Lions put in a dominant second half display. Marcus Harrison was on the scoresheet, along with a Dan McLellan – who was denied a hat-trick with a disallowed goal – double to seal the win.

England were beaten 1-0 by France in their next outing. Although the Para Lions started the strongest, their opponents capitalised on a mistake at the back to break the deadlock just before half time, with England then seeing a late equaliser ruled out.

And the Para Lions’ tournament ended with a goalless draw against Denmark in a game that yielded very little chances for both teams, although England enjoyed the majority of possession.