Friends of Allonby Liverpool have said it was a “dream” and “incredible” to be crowned canoe polo men’s champions of Europe.
The 2024 ECA Canoe Polo Clubs European Campionship was held in Bacoli, Naples, Italy, over the weekend.
In the gold medal match, FOA Liverpool beat defending champions MKC Duisburg 5-4 in a thrilling but tense match.
“It’s a dream to win. It’s something we’ve been trying to do for 10 plus years,” said Kartik McCutcheon, number 1 on the team.
“We made our first final in 2018 and this year was our 3rd, so to finally get one over the line it’s a difficult feeling to put into words.
“We’ve had such good momentum this year with two wins at international tournaments in Helmond and Essen, but this competition is historically so difficult to win because the level of the teams is incredibly high.
“We felt really good going into the final and started really well but Duisburg are a top side and made it really difficult for us.
“In the end we are so happy we came out on top especially after years of falling just short.
“The support we had in Bacoli and back home was incredible and none of it would have been possible without the full support given to us by the club.
“As a team we all worked so hard for this and we are going to enjoy this title for as long we can.”
FOA Liverpool went into a 3-0 lead thanks to Andreas Iverson, Jack Inder and Shivan McCutcheon, but the Germans got back into the game to make it 3-3.
Iverson made it 4-3, but MKC Duisburg equalised again, before McCutcheon scored the winning fifth goal for the English side.
It was the first time the men’s team has been crowned European champions after silver medals in 2018 and 2023.
Spanish team Deportiva Pinatarense won the title in the women’s tournament.
Everyone from Paddle UK would like to congratulate the team on this historic victory.