SOLIHULL Academy FC Under-13s team is in training to take on some of Europe’s best young players in Barcelona.
The International Carnaval Cup, from February 21 to 23, will pitch the youngsters against the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Sociedad.
“It’s a huge tournament with great exposure for the team, so it’s all a bit full on at the moment getting things ready,” said coach David Paterson.
“We’re all going on February 20, then we’re straight into playing Barcelona in the group stage.”
“There’s a guaranteed number of games but we’re hoping to reach the knockout – but mainly our expectations are for the boys to go out and get the experience of a lifetime.
“To get there is massive. We have a couple of lads from poorer backgrounds and we want them to get the exposure in Spain – it’s really well supported there and will be broadcast on television.”
The schoolboys won the national title in 2019, and in their group will face respective national champions Maccabee Haifa from Israel, Briedablik from Iceland and Barcelona from Spain.
