Today England’s team for the 2003 U20 World Championship in Uruguay, being held from Monday 18 August, was named and includes; Michael Ableson (Middlesbrough), Sam Jackson (Herne Bay Utd), Lucas Justo-Naifsay (Grimsby), Matthew Oaten (Letchworth), Daniel Palmer (Middlesbrough), Chris Pearson (Manchester), Andrew Sims (Grimsby), Ian Smith (Middlesbrough), James Taylor (Infante de Sagres) and Stavros Zacharia (Herne Bay Utd).

“This team is probably the strongest England U20’’s team in years” said Coach Kos Galtos, “every player has had to work hard to gain selection and a number of good players who wanted to come away have missed out.”

With the most competitive U20’s National league in years and over 30 players having hotly challenged for places in the team, England’s prospects seem to be on the rise.

“I think the players have done a great job” said Kos “you can see their enthusiasm for the sport and the rapid improvement to the average standard of play.”

“I really look forward to the Championship and believe that we can not only finish in the top 5 but perhaps even challenge for a place!”

England has yet to be advised of the draw but rumour has it that the Groups for the championship are;
Group A; Argentina, Brazil, England, New Zealand, Uruguay
Group B; Australia, Colombia, France, Portugal, USA

More info:
Reporter: Kos Galtos