Hosts claim European transplant football title

Six nations were represented in the first ever Transplant European Football Championship

The first ever Transplant European Football Championship has been won by the hosts England.

Six nations were represented at the tournament which was held over three days at Radley College, Oxfordshire, with the finals taking place on Sunday.

England took the title beating Italy 1-0, with the winning goal coming in the last minute of the match.

All the teams were made up of organ transplant recipients from England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain and Wales.

England beat Italy 1-0 in the final

England player Kevin Kyley said: "There was a real buzz around the place all week with spectators and fans from other countries cheering you on.

"After a week of football our legs were giving up on us but we just kept pushing, and to get that goal in the last minute of the game was unbelievable."

The tournament follows last year's first World Transplant Football Cup held in Cervia, Italy, and aims to promote transplant football and raise awareness for organ donation.

Organiser Transplant Active wants to establish a biennial European event, taking place either side of world cup tournaments.

Oxfordshire is also hosting the British Transplant Games from 31 July to 3 August in Oxford.

Players from the winning team were honoured at the Gala Dinner following the tournament