Opening press conference confirms huge expectations raised by Beach Soccer in these European Games
Beach Soccer will take the floor in these European Games Baku 2015 as of this Wednesday, 24th of June. The competition was officially presented today, in a press conference with Simon Clegg, Chief Operations Manager of the Baku European Games Organizing Committee, Joan Cusco, Beach Soccer Worldwide Executive Vice-president and Beach Soccer Committee member, Azerbaijan’s coach, Ze Miguel, and the team’s captain, Emin Kurdov, together with some other representatives of the eight National sides taking part in the event.
Simon Clegg, Chief Operations Manager of the Baku European Games Organizing Committee highlighted that “beach soccer is a great asset in the games, and they are coming with the best athletes in the modality, which is something that will help the Games and will for sure be welcome by the fans”.
Joan Cusco, Beach Soccer Worldwide Executive Vice-president and Beach Soccer Committee member, gave the insight from beach soccer perspective, assuring that “it is a great opportunity for beach soccer, a new step in the development of this sport, and we want to show the best beach soccer has. This is why we will be having here the best teams in Europe, and will try to win more and more followers as the tournament progresses”.
Azerbaijan’s coach, Ze Miguel, and the team’s captain, Emin Kurdov, talked about the Azeri side’s expectations ahead this huge sportive celebration they are hosts to. “We know that we are lower in the rankings in comparison with the other teams, but we will fight more tan anyone and we will try to make the Azeri people proud. At the same time, through our performances, we want our country to fall in love with beach soccer, and make sure the next generations grow up with beach soccer in their minds”.
In similar terms, the team’s goalkeeper and captain, Emin Kurdov, said that “the team is ready, and looking forward to begin playing. We feel confident for the preparation we have been doing. The Azerbaijan Football and Beach Soccer Associations have been doing a great job for the development of the sport, and the future looks very good”.
A representation of the other teams was also at the oficial presentation, and atended the media requests after the press conference was over.
The action in Baku kicks-off tomorrow, with the following schedule:
16:00 – Spain vs Italy
17:30 – Portugal vs Switzerland
19:00 – Hungary vs Russia
20:30 – Ukraine vs Azerbaijan
