A group of young footballers from an Oxford estate have returned triumphant after a week in Europe.

The squad from Rose Hill Youth Centre travelled to Germany where they were put through their paces by the British Army at barracks in the city of Paderborn.

The dozen teenagers, most of whom had never flown before, stuck to an intensive military exercise regime throughout their stay and played matches against their hosts.

Maggie O'Sullivan, a youth worker based in Rose Hill, accompanied the team.

She said: "It was absolutely hectic. There were 12 young people and two adults staying in the army barracks. They followed the military routine and were up in the morning at 7am for breakfast.

"Every day they did something different but they had coaching sessions between 10am and 3pm each day and afterwards did activities like bowling and looking at local historical sites. In the evening they had matches.

"It was excellent. The hospitality was great and the young people really enjoyed themselves."

The footballers were all aged between 15 and 18 and were mainly drawn from Rose Hill, with some players from Littlemore, Blackbird Leys and Didcot.

Mrs O'Sullivan said: "Bar one of them, they had never flown before, so in terms of personal development it was a wonderful exper- ience.

"They were meeting new people, socialising and visiting a new country for the first time.

"They really want to go back — they came back really invigorated, wanting to travel, making plans and focusing on healthy lifestyles."

Before the trip, the squad took part in a team-bonding exercise at Youlbury Scout Camp, Boars Hill, and raised money to finance the tour.

Mrs O'Sullivan said: "Four of the young people got £50 from the Rose Hill Community Centre and we did lots of fundraising.

"There was also great support from the city and county councils.

"Had they not funded it to such a level we would have been unable to do it."

On the pitch, the Rose Hill contingent beat Paderborn United, a team made up of the families of Army personnel based around the barracks, defeated local side Bad Lippspringer and lost a hard-fought game against an adult Military Police XI.

Mrs O'Sullivan added: "We have a verbal agreement with the Army co-ordinator to support us going back for the next three years if we can raise the money."