Algarve joy for Hall

West Ham United youngster Robert Hall played his part as England's Under-17s won the prestigious Algarve Tournament in Portugal for the second time in three years.

The 16-year-old played the full 90 minutes in his country's second group stage fixture, a 3-0 win over Ukraine at the Estadio Algarve on Sunday, having sat out England's opening match against France, which ended 1-1 at the Estadio Municipal Bela Vista in Parchal on Saturday.

Hall retained his place in the starting lineup in Tuesday's final game against the host nation, playing for 51 minutes in the goalless draw at the Parque Desportivo de Nora in Ferreiras that saw John Peacock's men lift the trophy on goal difference.

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The tournament was being used by Peacock and his players as a warm-up for the Elite Round of qualifying for the 2010 UEFA European Championship. England will face Sweden, Malta and Slovakia between 27 March and 1 April.

The group winners will progress to the eight-nation finals in Liechtenstein in May.

The Elite Round fixtures will be played in this country, with England taking on Sweden at Sixfields Stadium in Northampton on Saturday 27 March, Malta at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton on Monday 29 March and Slovakia at Sixfields on Thursday 1 April.