JERSEY’S men will meet NatWest Island Games newboys Gozo in Guernsey this summer, while the Caesareans’ women have been drawn against the team they beat in the 2015 final.
Martin Cassidy’s men’s squad have been placed in Group IV for the 2023 edition of the multi-sport festival, ensuring a date against the Maltese isle – only added to the Games roster just last year – as well as clashes with Menorca and St Helena.
Meanwhile, the women play in Group I, the only group with four teams in, with groups II and III only containing three teams.
Chad Morris’ side will have to navigate past Bermuda, Hitra and 2015 silver medallists Åland if they are to progress to the semi-finals.
For the men, avoiding the Isle of Man and Ynys Mon is a plus, although Menorca will provide a stern test.
Jersey drew 3-3 with the Spaniards when they met in Gotland in 2017.
Cassidy said: ‘We have been labelled as the best footballing team at previous Games but, for all that, we haven’t had anything to show for it. We are determined to go to Guernsey and get the job done.
‘There are no style points on offer, so we need to do the little things well and keep it tight.
‘We are fully aware of Menorca’s pedigree, so it won’t be easy and we will not take the group for granted.’
Jersey’s women will be hoping for a repeat of the 2015 edition, which they won on home soil after beating three-times winners Åland in the final, thanks to a strike from Eve Watson.
Morris said: ‘I’m excited. It’s a proper Island Games group. We’ve got a great opportunity to play against different styles and different cultures. The Scandinavian teams in particular are very fit and very technical.
‘But we’ll go there prepared, give it our best shot and hopefully come back with a gold medal.’
Alderney’s men missed out on a place at the Games following an ‘out of the hat’ draw, to reduce the tournament to 16 teams. Nineteen islands initially entered.
Guernsey 2023 football draw
MenGroup I: Guernsey, Western Isles, Åland, Isle of Wight. Group II: Isle of Man, Ynys Mon, Falkland Islands, Shetland Islands. Group III: Greenland, Bermuda, Froya, Orkney. Group IV: Menorca, Jersey, Gozo, St Helena.
WomenGroup I: Jersey, Bermuda, Hitra, Åland. Group II: Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Menorca. Group III: Guernsey, Ynys Mon, Western Isles.
