Sammy Carr, manager of the Junior futsal team, believes that his troops were made to pay for inexperience as they claimed bronze with a 10-1 demolition of Italy.
Braces from Oron Sheldon, Joe Sharpe plus one apiece from Josh Joseph, Nathan Sollosi, Jess Alexander, Taylor Gershon and an own goal did the trick in a one-sided playoff match.
Kashket finished as the team’s top-scorer in the competition with nine goals, with Sollosi and Sheldon contributing eight apiece.
“We were hoping for gold but unfortunately our lack of match practice saw us start the competition slowly.
“We had arranged several friendlies before coming to Vienna but on each occasion our opponents pulled out.
“It took us three games to release how to play against another team and ultimately that was our downfall in terms of trying to reach the final. But I was pleased with the fact that we finished the competition as top-scorers.”
Carr praised his squad that has been together for seven months. He said that they have come a long way against more experienced opposition. Finalists Spain have been playing together for four years while Turkey’s players are, on average, two years older.
“If the competition started now I think we’d win it,” Carr added. The boys tried extremely hard. We won and lost as a team.
Coach Jonny Blain said: “Futsal inexperienced cost us but the Maccabi experience has been amazing. The boys have been a credit to themselves and GB.
“Hopefully they can stay together for Israel in 2013.”