A few weeks ago, Foundation 92 took Manchester Maccabi Thunder to represent the Foundation and Salford City FC in Special Champions League taking place in Lisbon, Portugal.

The tournament was hosted by the European Football for Development Network (EFDN) and Benfica SL’s charity Foundation.

A group of pan-disability adults and mixed disabilities travelled to compete in the tournament with 11 different teams from all over Europe including Everton, Juventus, Ajax, and Werder Bremen. The tournament promoted fair play, tolerance, mutual respect and access to football for all.

The team and Foundation 92 staff travelled from Manchester Airport to Lisbon on Tuesday the 8th of February, attending a meeting with the EFDN and all clubs involved in the tournament on arrival.

On the Wednesday, the team walked down to Sport Lisboa e Benfica’s training base and were greeted by Benfica mascots, receiving a Fundacao Benfica goodie bag. Manchester Maccabi Thunder then took to the pitch to play in the tournament against the likes of Benfica SL, Levante, EITC, Foundation Alcoraz, N.E.C. Nijmegen, and Bayer Leverkusen.

At the end of the tournament, the EFDN and Benfica SL hosted an award ceremony, to celebrate the teams that took part in the tournament, with every player receiving a commemorative medal.

To complete the day, Foundation 92 staff and the team were treated to an amazing Eagle display put on by Benfica SL at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, before then having dinner with all of the teams in Lisbon.

Finally, before flying home on the Thursday, the team took in the sights of Lisbon, through a Tuk Tuk Tour.

We hope everyone enjoyed the experience and we can’t wait for the next one. Thank you to Manchester Maccabi Thunder for representing Foundation 92 and Salford City FC in the Special Champions League. Thank you also to Friendship Circle for their support.