"Football is not a matter of life and death, it is more important than that."
Women's deaf futsal
World Deaf Futsal Championships - Sofia, Bulgaria 8-18 November 2007
England came third in Women's World Deaf Futsal Championships, with Esther Maycock a key member of the team.
At the group stage their scores were:
England 4 Norway 0
England 7 Turkey 0
England 3 Israel 0
England 10 Switzerland 1
England 3 Japan 0 (awarded to England as Japan withdrew)
The FA website described the Turkey game as the Maycock show!
"Esther Maycock was England's hero as the Three Lions made it three successive wins with a 7-0 demolition of Turkey. Eyley put England ahead in the eighth minute, turning before shooting into the bottom corner.
"The lead was doubled five minutes later when Laura Wiseman finished off a slick move by firing a low shot into the bottom corner. The Maycock show began in the 22nd minute when she belted home a 20 yard free-kick to put England 3-0 up at half-time.
"It was 5-0 by 31 minutes, Maycock and Sarah Page finding the net, but England were not finished there. Maycock completed her hat-trick in the 45th minute before saving her best for last - a 40 yard run and shot for her fourth and England's seventh.
Esther also scored against Israel and managed to hit the post three times against Switzerland without getting a goal.
England beat Denmark 1-0 in the quarter final but the lost 2-5 to Germany in the semi-final in a game which was tied at 2-2 until well into the second half.
The play-off for third place was against Norway and ended 3-3 with England winning on penalties. Esther scored the decisive penalty.
Esther told us "I really enjoyed playing and representing for England, even we came 3rd in the World! I am so proud of the whole team, and how we have played and enjoyed throughout the tournament. I really thank God for giving me that opportunity to play for England again, because few other people were asking me about my life with Jesus.
"To get 3rd place, we had to beat Norway - the score was 3-3, and it ended up with penalties. Lucky, we won and came 3rd! To be honest, I was bit under pressure as taking the last penalty to win, but I believed that I would score for England and also for God. It was a great feeling, especially when players ran to me!!
"I have to say that this experience of playing for England was fantastic and it was very honour to be in the team, but we had lots of tears, fun and laughs, together and the team spirit was fabulous! We are acting like the lions roaring for England, but at the same time roaring for Jesus - it was great experience to have Him in my life and also in football with other players.