Channel Island rivals drawn together at 2025 Games
Jersey beat Guernsey 3-2 when they met in the Muratti Vase in May
- Published
Channel Island rivals Jersey and Guernsey have been drawn together in the group stages of the men's football at the 2025 Island Games.
It is the first time the two islands have been drawn together in the group stages since Jersey hosted the event in 1997, when they beat Guernsey 4-0 at Springfield.
Jersey are the reigning Island Games gold medallists and beat Guernsey 3-2 in their last meeting for the Muratti Vase in May.
Also in the group are 2005 gold medallists Shetland and the Maltese island of Gozo.
Hosts Orkney are in a group with five-time finalists Isle of Man and Norwegian islands Hitra and Froya while Ynys Mon will face Menorca, Western Isles and Bermuda in the third group.
The 12-team tournament was oversubscribed with a number of islands missing out on the chance to compete after a draw was held last month.
In the women's tournament, reigning champions Bermuda will face Jersey, Isle of Wight and Shetland.
Hosts Orkney will take on Guernsey, Gozo and Hitra while 2023 silver medallists Western Isles have a repeat of their semi-final from the last Island Games when they take on Menorca as well as Ynys Mon and Hitra.
Both tournaments will see the group winners and the best-placed runner-up from the three groups going through to the semi-finals.
Island Games 2025 Group Stages:
Men:
Group 1: Orkney, Isle of Man, Hitra, Froya
Group 2: Jersey, Guernsey, Gozo, Shetland
Group 3: Ynys Mon, Menorca, Western Island, Bermuda
Women:
Group 1: Orkney, Gozo, Guernsey, Froya
Group 2: Bermuda, Jersey, Isle of Wight, Shetland
Group 3: Western Isles, Menorca, Ynys Mon, Hitra