(Third person pov)
After a very long session of indoor stretching drills, they were sent to the doctor who looked at each player's condition.
"We've reviewed each one of your files for past injuries and health conditions, now I need your blood samples for testing" said the doctor. She was wearing a lab coat, and a mask, with glasses on she looked a little intimidating.
"Let's start from the youngest, Matthew Delevigne" she said the name.
Matt hesitated a little, but ultimately stepped forward. He was standing beside Mark, walking towards the labs door Matt went in to see her pointing towards a bench.
Matt sat down on a bench, as she strapped his hand with a band to make the veins visible.
He was sweating a little, he wiped his forehead with the other hand and took deep breaths.
'its gonna be alright, she's just taking her blood' thought Matt as he closed his eyes.
The doctor who had taken out a syringe looked at Matt and chuckle "You're son of a Surgeon, and you're afraid of injection" she said with a laugh.
Matt didn't even open his eyes to acknowledge her, his hand was out straight, she grabbed his hand making him flinch.
"Easy, it won't hurt" she said trying to make him calm, which didn't work at all, it made it worse.
She inserted a needle in his hand, to which Matt didn't react at all.
After that she placed a bandaid on his hand, removing the strap.
Matt didn't wait for another second, he walked out without saying anything.
He walked passed the players sitting and directly went outside, into the garden.
(Pov end)
[Emma Watson pov]
"He got called to U-17! That's insane" I said not believing Cara.
It was safe to say that Matt had a very bad impression of me and my friends, and the thing is, we did it all so he could become a movie star.
"Yes! I think I was wrong! He didn't even come to say goodbye to me and mom" said Cara, few tears dripped from her eyes.
I signed and listened to my friend, it was her plan to bully Matt into leaving football and become an actor like her.
Initially everyone was against it, especially Dan and Tom, they are way to nice to be intentionally rude to someone, but they are also really good actor. Rupert though was quite natural at being a prick.
"What if he doesn't talk to me again? What should I do em! " Said Cara bow breaking down.
We were sitting in her room, tonight we had an interview for our third film, and she's like this.
"We'll apologise and come straight, he'll surely forgive you" I said. I have seen him during shoots for his scenes, he was a good actor.
What impressed me the most was how well he treated everyone on the set, there were over 500 people at every shooting, and I think he remembered everyone's name.
"No! What if that made him hate me more!", this girl.
"Cara, you're his cousin, and you told me he cares for you a lot" she nodded, her hair were messy, it will take an hour to sort them straight.
"How.. How should I say sorry to him" asked Cara.
I couldn't help but smile, I wish I had a little sister like cara or brother, she's just so sweet, and being a little older than her, I treated her as my little sister.
"You said he's in France, go see him play, be the loudest in the crowd, cheer for him, after match tell him the truth" I said, it was the perfect idea.
Cara wiped her hears nodding, she looked thoughtful and gave me a miserable look, "You'll come with me right" she gave me that vulnerable kitty look.
"Alright" I Said in defeat which made her jump and hug me. And I miss France, it'll be surely better than spending time here.
"Now, we must convince your mother, to take us to France" I said, we need an adult with us, it's so frustrating, and also security, ugh.
Cara blinked and smiled, "heh, there's no need to convince, mom would definitely say yes if it's for supporting Matt"
Oh, yes. Same was with Rowling, I re-read the books just to focus on his character to find out why she was obsessed with him.
It was his innocence, he definitely looked like Cedric, his eyes, it made him seem so harmless.
Even when we said horrible things to him, not once he insulted is or Cara, he just looked so sad.
Remembering that I feel a little hurt.. I shouldn't have done that, I'll apologise to him there too.
"Let's go! You are a mess, we need to get ready for an interview!" I said making her excited, she loved talking infront of camera.
"Yes!" She said hurrying towards bathroom.
(Pov end)
(John peacock pov)
Group B
England
Ukraine
Portugal
Austria
"Our first match is against Ukraine, at Stade de la Vallée du Cher, Tours." Said Adam sitting beside Trevor Brooking.
"Hm, Ukraine is fine, the problem will be Portugal, they've got some good players, Bruno Gama, Fausto Jorge Dias Lourenço." Said Trevor, he had gotten the list of players from FA.
"We don't worry about that. See, we have got quality players, Just focus on how to manage them. Mark nobel has shown exceptional talent in leadership, also we have a generational midfielder in our hands" I said making Trevor wince a little.
"What happened?" I asked curiously, he looked at me with a hesitant smile, while I glance at Adam who just shook his head.
"After that Ireland game I wrote a report about Matt's gameplay to the FA board." He said, I nod my head asking him to continue.
"Now, they believe we should nurture him, but with care. So we would have to control his playtime, they have also sent a formal letter to Arsenal academy, about monitoring his progress." He said rubbing his forehead.
"He won't like it, but it has to be done. He can't play 90 minutes, we already knew that" I said confused a little, I didn't wanted him to damage his potential.
Matt has talent, he just need patience to grow.
"Boy won't like it, I know him. After this, they'll come after him like vultures" said Trevor, making me agree with him.
"Don't worry now, I'll reassure him. " Said Adam, he was the one who had put Matt on his radar.
"I doubt that would help.. he's a little crazy about playing" said Trevor.
"Let's arrange a meeting, the physio, he'll listen to a doctor. He must know that playing full time is not good for his body" I said.
Talent can only help if the body is able, a talentless fit player is better than talented injured player.
"That could help" said Adam writing down the instruction.
"Let's see, the fitness tests" said Trevor, moving towards the gates.
This tournament was the last chance for me, after last year's disaster, I'll have to make this count.
(Pov end)
(Third person pov)
5 May 2004, Stade de la Vallée du Cher, Tours.
England vs Ukraine.
"Look he's there! Matt! Look here!" Shouted Cara making Emma wince. Cara was wearing a England's jersy, with number 10 and no name.
Emma Watson on the other hand wore white tees with blue jeans.
They were supposed to remain tamed, hidden in fact, but this cat can't remain tamed for even a second.
"Cara! I've already sent him a message, we'll see him after game, now let him warm up. This is his first step into professional football" said Pandora, she was serious.
She had been there, since the beginning when Matt started playing football, she was proud of the boy.
'Still he better have a good excuse for not telling me' thought Pandora as she got ready to beat Matt.
There were around two thousand people attending the match, the seats beside them were mostly empty, mostly scouts and families of the players attended the match.
"He looks so cute in that baggy shirt! He looks like little beckham!" Exclaimed Cara.
'If he had blonde hair.. he does look cute' thought Emma as she looked at Matt doing keepiups.
"When's the game gonna start" whined Cara.
"There's still 10 minutes" said Pandora.
"Look! He's waving at us" said Emma making Cara perked up.
Matt looked around and saw Cara jumping wearing number 10, he smiled and waved at them again.
Looking at goofy Cara he couldn't help but smile, she had been distant from him, for the past 2 years. Now seeing her made him warm from the inside.
"Hey! Our Assassin's got fans in the stands" barked Levi from his side.
"It's his family idiot, nobody's got fans here" said Fraizer, who had started calling Levi's bullshit.
"Oh! That's Daphne.. right! I'm gonna score a hattrick and point towards her" said Levi suddenly looking forward to score.
Matt frowned, he looked a Levi and said, "You won't score a single goal after that celebration then"
"Ayo, chill out. It was a joke mate" said Levi with nervous laughter making Richard chuckle in the background.
"Hey! But why are you doing warmups, aren't you warming the bench" said Levi, trying to annoy Matt who just shook his head.
"Boss said I could do whatever I want, I can play first half or second half, it's on me. I get exact 45 minutes" said Matt.
Levi just shrugged, he had seen favouritism at Leicester based on politics and connections, here it was more on talent and potential, he didn't had anything to complain.
But that's just Levi, there were some players that had shown dissatisfaction about Matt's connection with the Coach.
"I'm going to play the second half, you know finish the job" said Matt as he stop his drills and sat down on the bench beside John telling him about his decision.
Ukrainian players wearing yellow shirt with blue Adidas stripes, were on the ground too, Richard and Fraizer had the duty to look after Levi, he loved mocking people after all.
It didn't take long for Match to start, England was playing their classic playing 11, Except Davis in for Matt.
Coach John had prepared team better after that Ireland mishap, they were now a lot more fluid in their counterattack and strong defensively.
Mark kick the ball to Richard, Levi and Fraizer run towards the goal.
Carrying the ball forward, Richard passed to Davis who controlled the ball and glanced at Fraizer at the right wing.
Passing the ball, he made a central run, behind him was Mark, a Ukrainian defender breathing down his neck.
Fraizer taking the ball cuts a defender to the left and shot, which went wide.
It was just the first minute, and England has showed proper attacking football, but that didn't make Cara happy.
"Why is he not playing! He must be so sad" said Cara, she wanted to see his bro play, now she was now questioning his decisions to play football over acting again.
"He's not look he's laughing" said Pandora looking at Matt with a little concern.
Emma too looked a little bummed, she sighed, 'I can't say I didn't expected this' thought Emma.
Ukrainian players came to their senses, their coach yelled at the players, making them more aggressive.
The match continued, there were few chances for England, Levi once hit the goalpost.
England was proving to be dangerous, which made the opposition nervous.
England has the upper hand in possession and controlling the first half until the 37th minute.
England's goalkeeper Ben Alnwick hit a scuffed goalkick which landed on Ukrainian strikers feet who shot from 25 yards, just in front of the goal.
The ball went a little wide, hitting the right wall of the net.
Everyone in the stands were on their feet, it was a beautiful goal, one people don't expect to see in an U-17 competition.
Olexander Rybka ran towards the corner, his teammates surrounded him celebrating the goal. While England picked up the ball.
"C'mon let's go! It's just one goal!" Said Mark clapping the backs of his teammates.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Said Cara who was complaining about match being boring 2 minutes ago.
"Right, it was. It's the best goal I've seen live" said Emma. She had seen few matches with her father, this one was surreal.