Grimes and Pym help England to international competition win
England Under-20s were crowned champions of the Four Nation Tournament in Heerenveen on Monday evening, staving off competition from the Netherlands, Germany and Turkey.Grecians duo Matt Grimes and Christy Pym were both involved in the Young Lions’ first fixture against Germany, helping the youngsters to a 1-0 win last Thursday by playing 90 minutes for their country.
The Exeter pair returned home in time for last Saturday’s League 2 game at St James Park, and their squad-mates turned in a 3-2 victory the same evening against their Dutch hosts.
England had been trailing 2-1 in the closing stages, with Everton forward Chris Long getting that goal, before Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom came off the bench to score a dramatic late brace to win.
That sent England into their final game on Monday against Turkey needing only a draw to win the tournament – Gillingham loanee Kortney Hause put England ahead, although Turkey levelled early in the second period before Akpom received his marching orders for a second yellow.
However Turkey were also reduced to ten men as it ended 1-1, meaning Matt and Christy are tournament-winners with the England Under-20 side.