This was said to be the summer that England once again plunged into love with the national football team. Yet, while England lost out in the semi-finals of the world-cup, the Great Britain Medical Football Team glided ahead by winning ‘Doctor’s World Cup’ in Prague.
This championship is an annual event in which 22 teams entirely made of doctors compete to grasp the Morell Cup. The GB squad, comprised of 25 players from the length and breadth of Britain, were selected by two gruelling trials. By the end, doctors of all levels (training to consultants) stood side by side, equal in status and ability.
Dr Louis Akindele from local Farley Road Medical Practice GP has represented our side since 2010; Selsdon local Dr Jamie Thoroughgood has captained for the last two years. Nevertheless, this would be the year that they would rejoice.
The competition began for team GB with a victory of 4-0 over Ireland - a difficult opponent yet thanks to GP Jez Griffiths, two goals in the first half swung the match drastically. A second match against Hungary was a physically and tactically exhausting event in which an arduous 80 minutes were required for GB to win with one goal. On they went till GB faced Australia.
Hungary had originally beaten Australia 1-0 in the quarterfinal - however an appeal found they had an ineligible player, a dentist! Therefore, Australian faced GB which won 1-0 due to a well-worked team goal leading to a goal line tap for foundation trainee Dr Sammy Bzeu.
The final place GB against hosts and favourites Czech Republic ( 3 time winners). Despite this formidable opposition, GB won with a ground-breaking 2-0 breaking the Czech resolve. The team celebrated on the pitch singing ‘It’s coming home’ while being drenched in mulberry champagne. In the beautiful settings of the Palace Zofin on the banks of Vlata River in Prague, the trophy was presented. Twop days later however, our 25 doctors were all back in the Uk and working for the beloved NHS- forgetting their dreams of being footballers for another year at minimum.
