CHILDREN from across Yorkshire have battled it out to lift the European Cup.

Teams from 16 schools took part in a mini-Euro 2004 at Syngenta Sports Complex, Leeds Road, Huddersfield.

Each team represented one of the countries taking part in Euro 2004 in Portugal, which kicks off on June 12.

Marsden Junior School, with players aged 10 and 11, were Huddersfield's big hope, playing as Belgium, but they were knocked out in the quarter finals.

Team coach and teacher Rachel Duxbury said: "Competitions like these are great for the kids. It promotes fitness and friendly competition.

"Although we do like to win I always make it clear to the children that it is the taking part that matters.

"We also have a girls' team who have done excellently well this season, but are not playing today."

And Marsden got off to a flyer, making short work of the group section and with striker Jack Mullin, 11, scoring what must have been the goal of the tournament. Talking about his 25yd lob, he said: "I saw the keeper off his line and thought I'd have a go."

Another star player was last-minute stand-in keeper Ashley Beardsall, 11, who is usually a striker.

He was forced to pull on the keeper's gloves because regular keeper Joe Dowdsey, 11, is still recovering from a broken arm.

Richard Sears, corporate affairs manager for the event sponsors, Yorkshire Water, said the competition was a vital way for the children to get together, have fun and learn about the importance of dehydration and health.

He said: "We did a World Cup tournament two years ago which went really well. So we thought we would do another one.

"We are trying to have lots of fun and see great football.

"But importantly we want to make the children aware how important taking water on is when playing sport," he added.

Sports Minister Richard Caborn also joined in the fun, handing out prizes to the youngsters.

The overall winners were Nessfield Primary School, Bradford.