Over the course of 12 hours, the Bootham Girls arrived in Italy. Some travelled via Rome, others through Pescara, but all eventually made their way to their home for the next seven days – the Hotel Mediterraneo.

The weather was a balmy 35°C, the sea sparkled blue, and excitement levels were off the scale. For most of the squad, this was their first experience of playing futsal abroad, competing against teams from Italy, Hungary, Finland and the UK.

The girls’ first official event was the welcome parade, which saw teams from around the world gather in the town square before marching through the streets to the competition stage for the opening ceremony. To say this is one of the highlights of the week would be a huge understatement. Dance music filled the air, teams sang together, players rode on each other’s shoulders, and more than 1000 players, coaches and parents celebrated everything that futsal has to offer.

Afterwards, many of us reflected on whether anything quite like this could ever be staged in the UK….

The players returned to the hotel tired but buzzing with anticipation for the week ahead. The big question remained: could they rise to the occasion and make their mark on this prestigious tournament, or would the travel, the heat and the unfamiliar surroundings prove too much?

With a squad ranging in age from 12 to 16, the challenge ahead was significant. However, they had prepared well. The coaches knew what to expect, and there was a genuine belief running through the group.

Check back tomorrow to see the story unfold….