Beach soccer drawing more and more people in Cape Verde

Sal Island was the latest site to help carry the torch after the FBSWC Portugal 2015 as celebrities gathered on the 26th and 27th of September for a tournament

Saturday and Sunday were packed with beach soccer as local citizens, tourists, and fans of the sport, came to Sal island to watch the celebrity pick-up games. The stands were more than full, there was only standing room left for the late comers on both the 26th and 27th. The tournament included four teams; Amigos do Carlos Xavier, Amigos do Pu Britto, Amigos do Lucio Antunes, and Amigos do Calu da Ângela.

The final on Sunday had the utmost excitement as the two finalists, Amigos do Calu da Ângela and Amigos do Carlos Xavier, battled into a penalty shootout, which was won by Calu da Ângela’s side. The event gathered more than 2,500 people on the final day of action due to the exciting action and the long list of celebrities; Carlos Xavier (Portuguse International and beach soccer pioneer), Daniel Carvalho (Former Atletico de Madrid player), Fernandes Mendes (Ex-Portuguese club star), Filipe Gaidao (Professional hockey player), Mário Jorge (Former Portuguese International and one of the first International stars to play beach soccer in Portugal), Mário Narciso (Head Coach of the Portuguese National beach soccer team), Paulo Futre (Former Atletico de Madrid, and AC Milan football player), and Vitor Baía (Ex-FC Barcelona Goalkeeper). The large showing was another successful turnout for beach soccer in the country that just won the World Cup, which highlights the general love of the sport and the continued growth with assistance from the Portuguese.