Great Britain Under-17 Girls were celebrating in the south of France on Sunday after qualifying for this summer’s Baku 2015 European Games.
There were dramatic scenes in Nice as GB comprehensively beat Switzerland 30-0 to move above the Czech Republic on goal difference and into Group A’s final qualifying place.
The GB team and coaches celebrate qualification for the Baku 2015 European Games
France then played the Czechs in the last encounter of the tournament and a sensational 14-7 victory for the hosts ensured GB will be heading to Azerbaijan in June.
During the final game, there was incredible tension in the stands as the large GB following cheered on France throughout.
As the Czechs fought in vain for the win they so desperately needed, there was pure joy for GB as celebrations erupted at the final whistle.
The GB team supporting France
GROUP A
Final Standings
(Top two qualify for Baku 2015 European Games)
| Pos | Team | P | W | T | L | GF | GA | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 23 | 12 |
| 2 | GB | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 76 | 24 | 7 |
| 3 | Czech R | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 43 | 33 | 7 |
| 4 | Portugal | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 61 | 3 |
| 5 | Switzerland | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 74 | 0 |
After beating Portugal 26-3 in their opening match, GB went onto draw 8-8 with the Czech Republic after conceding two late goals.
Next up were hosts France, who edged a tight and nervy game 13-12.
Then came the Swiss, who were professionally brushed aside 30-0.
Qualification is a proud moment for GB Team Manager Eileen Selvey, coaches Nick Buller, Sue Webb and Anthony McGuinness and all the players, who can now start preparing for the Baku 2015 European Games, which will be contested June 12-28.
GB U17 coach Nick Buller, captain Izzy Dean, Mhairi Nurthen and Kathy Rogers
Elsewhere in Sunday’s final qualification games, Germany, Serbia, Slovakia and Israel also booked their places in Azerbaijan, where – along with GB and France – they will meet Greece, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Hungary and Russia, who had already qualified.
Great Britain Under-17s Baku 2015 European Games Qualifiers Squad: Hayley Price, Lucy Shaw, Bethany Ward, Larissa Partridge, Grace Rowland, Fleur Kennedy, Hannah Edwards, Mhairi Nurthen, Izzy Dean (captain), Katherine Rogers, Verity McCoy, Danica Brazier & Sophie Jackson.
The GB under-17s
Overall tournament goalscorers for Great Britain Under-17s: Grace Rowland (14), Katherine Rogers (11), Izzy Dean (9), Fleur Kennedy (8), Danica Brazier (7), Lucy Shaw (7), Verity McCoy (5), Hannah Edwards (5), Bethany Ward (5), Larissa Partridge (3), Mhairi Nurthen (2).
Women’s Under-17 European Baku 2015 Results
Water Polo Qualification Tournament, Nice, France
Group A
Thursday, 12 March 2015:
18:00 Portugal 3-26 Great Britain
19:15 France 25-2 Switzerland
Friday, 13 March 2015:
09:00 Portugal 5-4 Switzerland
10:15 Czech Republic 8-8 Great Britain
18:00 Czech Republic 14-6 Portugal
19:15 France 13-12 Great Britain
Saturday, 14 March 2015
18:00 Switzerland 5-14 Czech Republic
19:15 France 17-2 Portugal
Sunday, 15 March 2015:
09:00 Switzerland 0-30 Great Britain
10:15 France 14-7 Czech Republic
Referees: CAN CIGER Gökhan (TUR); GERASIMOV Ognian (BUL); KUNIKOVA Martina (SVK); MATACHE Radu Sorin (ROU); RADICEVIC Vlaho (CRO)
(Thanks to Chris Dean)