In March, 34 students travelled to Lisbon, Portugal for an action packed 4-night stay.

After settling in and finding their bearings on the first day, the second day started with a visit to FootLab Lisboa, a high tech, interactive football lab. The students were able to test their Technical and Physical capabilities throughout a number of challenges and of course, had some competitive fun!

The evening of day 2 saw our first match against local opposition, Seixal Clube. The game was competitive from the outset and one that Accrington Stanley went on to win 2-1. Jacob Pollard opened the scoring in the first half after rounding the keeper and finishing neatly from a tight angle. Breighson Bentley doubled the lead half way through the second half with a clever finish on the volley. The opposition pulled a consolation goal back in the final few minutes with a good free kick, however this wasn’t enough to stop Accrington Stanley Football College to claim their first ever victory on foreign soil.

Day 3 soon arrived and students trained at the infamous Benfica Academy with their Academy coaches, and were treated to a tour around the first team campus. Following the session, the students went out for lunch and then went on a stadium and museum tour at the Estádio de Luz, home of Benfica’s first team. Benfica, one of the biggest clubs in Portugal, have a world-renowned academy producing a conveyor belt of top-class footballers such as Rui Costa, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and Ruben Dias to name a few. The players had their second session of the week at Benfica’s Academy. After lunch the students had free time in Lisbon city centre to explore the local surroundings. The day was finished with our final match of the tour against SD Sesimbra. Unfortunately, the team were defeated 2-0 in what was a tough, competitive game.

A successful and action-packed trip came to an end. Students had a great time and represented themselves, their families and the college exceptionally. Now we start the planning for next year’s tour!