UK's first ever all diabetic futsal team competes at the European Futsal Championships - The Bromsgrove Standard

UK's first ever all diabetic futsal team competes at the European Futsal Championships

Bromsgrove Editorial 14th Aug, 2018   0

THE UK’s first ever all-diabetic-futsal-team flew to Slovakia on July 21 to compete in the European Futsal Championships.

Futsal is a modified form of football played with five players per side on a smaller, typically indoor, pitch with hockey-sized goals and a size four weighted ball.

The team was led by former Bromsgrove Sporting and Rovers player Chris Bright, who has had Type 1 diabetes for 17 years.

Chris, aged 27, set up the team in late 2017 after being inspired on a trip abroad.




“I did a bit of research on the internet, made some connections and then flew out to watch the Portuguese futsal team play.

“Seeing those guys train really made me want to bring the sport back with me.”


After arriving home, he soon turned his attention to setting up, managing and playing for the UK team.

Eleven players with type 1 diabetes represented the UK at the tournament with most of them having only met a handful of times before.

“We had about 3 training sessions before we were on the flight to Slovakia so it’s easy to see how new we are to this,” said Chris.

In the end they finished in 11th place out of a possible 17 with the eventual champions being Bosnia & Herzegovina.

A tough group featuring Russia, Italy and Portugal meant the United Kingdom crashed out of the group stage after losing every game.

In the bottom nine of the draw they won their first ever game vs Romania 3-0 which guaranteed finishing in the top 12.

“None of us left disappointed because there’s only so far you can get with a brand new team.

“A lot of the games were very close and we were very unlucky.”

The team’s aim over the next 12 months is to recruit more players, improve their game and get playing as many friendly games as they can.

Visit www.thediabetesfootballcommunity.com for more information about their journey.

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