The Portuguese resort replaces Sanxenxo as part of this year´s European season, hosting both competitions between July 7th and 9th.
Nazaré (Portugal) will host this season’s Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup and the second stage of the Euro Beach Soccer League, after Beach Soccer Worldwide decided to move them from Sanxenxo (Spain) due to administrative reasons.
Nazaré, as hosts of the Euro Winners Cup 2017, has left a great impression on all involved in the competition, especially players, their families and the Beach Soccer Worldwide organisation, so it promises to be the perfect location for the aforementioned European showdowns. In addition, the geographical proximity of Nazaré to Sanxenxo was also taken into account.
Both competitions will take place during the weekend of the July 7th and 9th, so the Euro Beach Soccer League stage will not need to be rescheduled. The Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup, with eight teams involved, will be pushed back by a week from its original date.
The second stage of the Euro Beach Soccer League will feature the same teams as previously planned.
Holders Ukraine, Spain, European champions Poland and Greece will make up Group One, while hosts Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and France feature in Group Two. The teams to participate in the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup will be confirmed in due course.
Gabino Renales, Deputy Vice-President of Beach Soccer Worldwide, said: “Nazaré has already demonstrated its credentials as a top-class beach soccer venue, and has everything an elite competition needs. The city council has consistently been extremely supportive, which is something we really appreciate. Besides that, the passion of the Portuguese fans is never in doubt, so we are very happy to have found this solution.”
Walter Chicharro, President of the Câmara Municipal de Nazaré, was also very satisfied to be able to look ahead to a new chapter for the sport in the town: “Nazaré, the cradle of beach soccer in the country, is passionate about this sport, and it is a source of great pride for us to have the opportunity to host another big beach soccer event this year. As we have proved, and continue to do in the Euro Winners Cup, we are ready and willing to become a key worldwide spot for beach soccer.”