THE Crickhowell Panthers Under-14 squad recently returned from the Youth Friendship Games in Holland where their flair and determination saw them book a well-earned place in the final of this prestigious tournament.

Unfortunately, they were denied the crown of overall winners as Swedish club side Skiljebo SK beat them 3-0.

However, the team of youngster's route to that final was a heroic one full of tenacity, skill, and grit, that everyone involved can be proud of.

After making the trip to the football competition based near Haarlem in Holland for the second consecutive year, the Panthers hit the ground running with a convincing and storming 4-1 win over US Academy side Explosion SA.

The second match was a more physical duel with US Academy side Speed Girls SA, but nevertheless the Panthers managed to seal a 2-0 victory.

They then faced solid Swedish team Sollentuna Utd, in a physical encounter where at half time the Panthers had two key players out with injuries following some hurly burly type play from elements within the Swedish team.

The game eventually ended up as a 1-1 draw, but with the Panthers ending the game with four players off injured in a match that saw lots of off-the-ball incidents, an official complaint was made to the organisers.

Regardless, the Panthers improved on last year's performance and finished top with seven points from nine, enough to take them into the 'A' seeded final's group.

In the opening match of the 'winners' group, the Panthers deservedly beat another Swedish team IK Franke 1-0, then met the very tough Canadians Comox Valley.

It was another physical game, but more sporting and the Panthers stood up well despite their smaller stature.

The match ended 1-1, but was marred by a heavy challenge from one of the Canadian midfield players that bowled over one of the Panthers full backs and broke her collarbone, which unfortunately ended the player in question's tournament.

The next match saw the Panthers play Meon Milton from Portsmouth, and although once again physically outgunned, the Panthers quick passing and movement saw the team through with a 2-2 draw.

The final group match was now all important in terms of qualifying for the final. Meon Milton had four points but were now playing IK Franke from Sweden who were out of the running following two defeats.

The Canadians had finished on five points. The Panthers were also on five points but now facing the hot favourites in the last match - Skiljebo SK - who had topped the group with seven points.

If Meon Milton won their final match (and on form with every chance of doing so) the Panthers would need to beat the favourites, or draw and hope that the goal difference was favourable.

If the Panthers lost and Meon Milton won, it would be all over for them, and if both the Panthers and Milton lost then the Canadians could sneak through on goal difference.

In the end it was a goal in the last two minutes that kept the Panthers in it to win it, as after plenty of heroic play across the whole of the park - some quick passing and skillful movement saw them score to equalise 1-1 with a Skiljebo side that contained two U17 international players.

As the final whistle blew, the Welsh contingent erupted in celebration, realising that the other match had just ended in a 2-2 draw.

The Panthers were through to the final, where they would once again face Stockholm's Skiljebo SK whom they had just battled their hardest to hold to a draw.

Ultimately in the face of a stronger and larger team, and exhausted from the efforts in their previous day's match, the Panthers lost the final 3-0.

The Crickhowell Panthers Greg Perry told the Chronicle, "The first match against Skiljebo was the final as far as we were concerned. To reach the final was the target from the outset, but we always knew it was going to be very tough to achieve. The players had batted very hard to get there and in their penultimate match came off the field exhausted.

"The Swedes thoroughly deserved their win on the day. Their pace and strength combined with knowledge about us gleaned from the previous day's match all finally told.

"It was however, nice to see the Panthers on the podium collecting their finalist's medals and large runners-up cup to a fanfare and gracious applause from the Swedes.

"Overall, it was some tournament and some achievement by a team from a small market town in the Brecon Beacons.

"They only suffered one loss during the tournament and that was the final, so I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank-you to all those involved, especially the players."