ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
The Maccabi GB Masters continued their preparations for this summer's European Maccabi Games in Vienna with an appearance at the first International Maccabi Futsal Tournament put on by Maccabi Holland.
GB reached the quarter-finals in a tournament featuring 13 Dutch teams, the Italian Open Maccabi Team and Maccabi Estonia in Amsterdam.
In a group containing Dutch opposition, GB played out a goalless draw against Blue Blood in their opening match. Gideon Barnett hit the only goal in game two, against FC Wanhoop. Barnett was also on target in the final group game, a 1-1 draw against Moole Jongens which took GB through to the quarter-finals.
A 4-1 defeat against eventual winners Maccabi Estonia ended GB's involvement. Danny Reuben snatched a consolation. They completed the tournament with a 1-0 win over De Sjankies in the playoffs to clinch fifth place overall.
Paul Shamplina, the GB player-coach, said: "It was good to take the squad to an international futsal competition, for them to play and be disciplined against younger and quicker opposition and to come fifth out of 16 is respectable.
"We took a lot out of this competition and know we have to get to a higher level to win medals in Vienna, in respect of movement, shape and set plays. The good thing is we are playing every week in the Leyton Futsal League, against open age groups, which is great for preparation."