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The Superfinal and Promotion Final are about to kick off in Figueira da Foz
With the first whistle set to sound in Figueira da Foz in just hours, a press conference was held to cut the ribbon on the event and welcome the beach soccer community to the Portuguese coast once more.
Joan Cusco (Beach Soccer Worldwide Executive Vice-President), Mafalda Azenha (Sports Councilor da Figueira da Foz), Carlos Monteiro (Mayor of Figueira da Foz), Pedro Dias (Director of the Portuguese Football Federation) and Madjer (Portuguese national team captain) were on the panel, speaking and answering questions from the local media.
Mr Cusco began the conference by looking back to the decades-long relationship between the town and beach soccer.
“In Europe, beach soccer started here in Figueira da Foz. I remember the Mundialitos of the late-90s, with queues of people sleeping outside the stadium to secure a place for the match the next day.”
The Mundialito was held here in Figueira da Foz between the years of 1997 and 2004, during which the only winners other than Brazil were USA (1998) and Portugal (2003).
He then went on to thank the Portuguese Federation of Football for “the support that they always give Beach Soccer Worldwide and the amazing events we have done together”, as well as the teams that had come to the press conference and the personnel from the Local Organising Committee.
Mafalda Azenha, went on to outline the importance of having the sport in the town, while the Mayor Carlos Monteiro outlined how proud the community was at the prospect of having the champions of the Euro Beach Soccer League crowned in Figueira da Foz.
Director of the Portuguese Football Federation Pedro Dias reiterated the words of the local officials, adding that and that he was looking forward to a competitive tournament and a successful event, also taking time to thank the organisers.
Madjer focused on what the location meant for him. “This beach in particular is very special to me. This is where I played my first amateur tournament and I remember winning the Mundialito (2003) in Figueira da Foz.”
After a few questions from the gathered media personnel, it was straight back to work, as the players went off to train and everyone returned to their role in the event’s preparation.
The official trainings have since been completed at the stadium and the stage is set to crown Europe’s new champions.
Will the Azzurri make it two years in a row, even without their injured star striker Gabriele Gori? Will Alonso’s Spaniards claim revenge on Del Mestre’s men for the loss in last year’s final? Or will the hosts dethrone the Italians on home soil and relive the success of 2015?
In the Promotion Final, Azerbaijan will be fighting to keep their Division A status alive, but face stiff competition from teams such as Greece, Hungary and Czech Republic, who didn’t lose a game in the regular phases of the 2019 league.
Excited for the kick off? Remember that you can watch all of the games, live and free, right here.
Stay up to date on the Euro Beach Soccer League – Superfinal and Promotion Final Figueira da Foz 2019 on the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
