Youth Tournament next week, two members of the Island squad in particular are looking forward to the upcoming battles.

John Barry Nusum and Joey Rego have been members of the BFA's national youth programme for some five years and have played under staff coach Jon Beard for the last four.

Both are products of the Wolves youth programme, led by former Bermuda national squad defender Kirt (Dasher) Douglas and Vince Minors.

It was with Beard that the pair travelled to Northern Ireland and England with the then Bermuda Under-14 team to take part in the prestigious Milk Cup tournament that involved an array of talented outfits from countries throughout Europe.

Their first taste of this competition was an 8-3 drubbing at the hands of Glasgow Rangers, a club which they will again face in next week's tournament.

However, the team quickly recovered, apparently learnt their lesson and went on to reach the final of the consolation cup.

Nusum was still in primary school at the time while Rego was enduring his first year of high school. Both well remember the game and are anxious to change the record and exact a measure of revenge.

Rego and Nusum, according to coach Beard, are developing into big, strong utility players and will most probably be employed in defensive duties for the the Bermuda tournament, although their heading power makes them forces to be reckoned with during set pieces.

Last summer saw Rego spend some weeks training at English Premier club Coventry City and, like Nusum, he has no illusions as to the task that lies ahead of he and the Bermuda team.

Both are hoping that the experience gained by the team in this tournament will set them up for the Junior World Cup after which they can progress through to the senior national level.

Bermuda's first game is the nightcap on Monday (8.30 p.m.) at the National Sports Centre when they take on Canada.

Starting off matters will be the opening ceremony which will feature gombeys, majorettes and the Scottish Pipe Band, followed by the opening match between Glasgow Rangers and the United States.

While challengers faltered, Euro and Quality Street fortified their leads atop the D and E Groups respectively of the Kenny Thompson Seven-A-Side tournament currently underway at the west end.

Entering the day's play level on points with Devonshire Colts, Euro ended with a two point cushion after disposing of winless cellar dwellers Salvo Cannonade 2-1, while Colts were being held to a 1-1 draw by Elite Choice.

Euro, Colts and Choice though, all qualified for the second round as the top three sides go through.

Likewise, Quality Street ensured their emergence from Group E by edging second placed side White Hill 2-1.

Social Club I also moved into the second round by downing Prospect 2-1.