Blind squad depart for Futsal Championships in Turkey.

Head Coach of the England B1 Blind Football squad Tony Larkin was in upbeat mood as he gathered his players at Birmingham Airport prior to their departure for the eighth IBSA Blind Futsal European Championships in Turkey.

England have been drawn in Group B along with current holders France, Germany and Italy. Group A contains Greece, Russia, six times champions Spain and hosts Turkey – and with the tournament also acting as a qualifying event for the London 2012 Paralympics Tony is mindful that there will be no easy fixtures.

Germany will provide the first test for Larkin’s men with their opening game today; Monday 26 September. The two teams last met at the IBSA World Games also in Turkey earlier this year and the players will be aiming for a similar result with England triumphing 4-1 on that occasion.