The England Cerebral Palsy team put in their best performance yet at a European Championships, reaching the final. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough to secure a first European title, as they were defeated 3-0 by world champions Ukraine. Ukraine had a two-goal lead at half-time and sealed the match with a third goal one minute after the restart.
England had made it to the final by defeating Spain, Italy and the Netherlands in their group, before overcoming the Republic of Ireland in the semi-finals. Top scorer David Porcher was unable to add to his 13 goals in the tournament for Andy Smith’s men.
Cerebral Palsy football was dropped from the Paralympic schedule after the 2016 Games in Rio, where Ukraine won gold, and will not be part of the Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028 programmes. The game is seven-a-side and played on smaller pitches with two 30-minute halves, no offsides and permission for one-handed throw-ins. Players have cerebral palsy or an acquired brain injury.
The England Cerebral Palsy team line-up was as follows: Giles Moore, Liam Irons, David Porcher, Sam Dewhirst, Mason Dunbar, Matt Crossen (captain), James Blackwell; Substitutes: Matt Robinson (for Dunbar 31), Jayden Kenyon (for Irons 51), Harry Baker (for Blackwell 59), Aaron Lucas, Will Ramsay, Reagan McMillan, Ethan Day.