YOUNGSTERS from a Bexley league junior football team are set to emulate Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool by playing top European teams such as Juventus and Real Madrid in an international tournament.

Crossways JFC is due to travel to Italy next Easter for an event being organised by Libertas and Banca Sella, who are both major sponsors of Juventus.

Crossways are in the Bexley under-14

B East League and play home games at Thamesmead Community College.

Samuel Johnson has been the manager for the last two years and in his first season in charge, he guided Crossways to win the Bexley C East Division.

He said: "I was introduced by the Italian side of the company I work for GPLV Partners UK Limited, in London. I was talking about football and found out that Banca Sella co-sponsor Juventus.

"I played in friendly matches against other banks for them and told the Italian representative that I ran a local football team, which my son plays for.

"The opportunity to play in this tournament was offered to me by a very good friend and major shareholder at Banca Sella, one of Italy's oldest and most exclusive banks, sponsors of Juventus, as well as this International Youth Tournament.

"He spoke about this annual event and asked us if we wanted to play in it.

"This promises to be a wonderful opportunity for the children to play against some of the very best of their age in the world.

"Torpedo Moscow, Levski Sofia, a USA selection, Hertha Berlin, Inter Bratislava, Napoli and Sampdoria have confirmed their entry, with Juventus and Real Madrid set to follow."

The games will be played at the ground of Serie B side Biella, near the Italian Alps, with average attendances expected to be around 3,000 for each game and 10,000 for the final. Crossways will be accommodated at the four-star Hotel Astoria, five minutes from the ground.

So how does Sam expect Crossways to do? "Well, I'm having nightmares about cricket scores at the moment. I was asked if we would be able to give the teams a

decent level of competition.

"We will do our best, with the right coaching, over the next few months and hope the team improves.

"But whether it's reducing the scorelines from 30-0 to 15-0, I just don't know!"

According to Sam, the squad's main strength is its good passing game and team spirit. The boys have been together since they were six or seven years old.

Sam concluded: "It will be a great experience for them on Italy.

"Many of the boys are travelling abroard for the first time will be playing against some of the best players of their age.

"So this will be something for them to

remember."

December 21, 2001 16:30