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Hosts claim European transplant football title

Transplant Active A group of smiling footballers wearing white shirts with the cross of St George emblem on the front. They each have a medals round their necks - one of them has a red captain's armband and is holding a trophy above his head. There are blue ribbons tied to the trophy. Some of them have their fists in the air in celebration.Transplant Active
Six nations were represented in the first ever Transplant European Football Championship

The first ever Transplant European Football Championship has been won by the hosts England.

Six nations were represented at the tournament which was held over three days at Radley College, Oxfordshire, with the finals taking place on Sunday.

England took the title beating Italy 1-0, with the winning goal coming in the last minute of the match.

All the teams were made up of organ transplant recipients from England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain and Wales.

Transplant Active The smiling England team pose in the changing room. They each have a medal round their neck and one is holding the silver trophy.Transplant Active
England beat Italy 1-0 in the final

England player Kevin Kyley said: "There was a real buzz around the place all week with spectators and fans from other countries cheering you on.

"After a week of football our legs were giving up on us but we just kept pushing, and to get that goal in the last minute of the game was unbelievable."

The tournament follows last year's first World Transplant Football Cup held in Cervia, Italy, and aims to promote transplant football and raise awareness for organ donation.

Organiser Transplant Active wants to establish a biennial European event, taking place either side of world cup tournaments.

Oxfordshire is also hosting the British Transplant Games from 31 July to 3 August in Oxford.

Transplant Active The England players are now all wearing shirts and red ties. They are posing with the trophy in a grand-looking room with wood panelled walls which feature large portraits hung upon them. On the dining table, in front of the players, there are several bottles of wine, beer and water.Transplant Active
Players from the winning team were honoured at the Gala Dinner following the tournament

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