Manilva International
Beach Football Festival
In August, 2008, La Noria beach in Sabinillas played host to the 1st Manilva International Beach Football Festival which was held over the weekend of the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of August.
This football spectacular was contested by teams of footballing legends from six countries, namely England, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Spain and Gibraltar. The action was centred on a 3,000 seater stadium which was set up on the beach with an adjoining ‘football village’ along the promenade including numerous stalls, hospitality and refreshment stands, etc.
As well as the football there was also a programme of fun and entertainment, including concerts featuring groups such as the funk soul band ‘Crusher Jones’, ‘Dry Martini’ and U2 tribute band ‘Traffic Jam’, all contributing to making this a truly memorable event, which was organised by Manilva Leisure SL, and EFPG Sportsguard Ltd, along with headline sponsor Altraplan Luxembourg S.A. The main purpose of the festival was to raise funds for the chosen charity ‘Sun & Happiness’ who work to bring underprivileged and terminally ill children from the UK to Spain to enjoy a well deserved week in the Spanish sun.
The event also served as a great promotion for the area with the whole event being televised by broadcasters from across Europe including Sky Sports who made a documentary of the event. In all it is anticipated that some 100 channels worldwide will be screening the event in one form or another, making it a great opportunity for sponsors.
Fixtures and Results
Saturday, 23rd August
10 am Spain 5 - 2 Gibraltar
11 am Holland 12 - 6 Denmark
6 pm Sweden 2 - 5 Holland
7 pm England 2 - 9 Spain
Sunday, 24th August
10 am Denmark 10 - 7 Sweden
11 am England 4 - 5 Gibraltar
6 pm 3rd and 4th place match Denmark 5 - 4 Gibraltar
7 pm Final Holland 5 - 5 Spain. Holland win on a sudden death penalty shoot out.
The Teams
ENGLAND
SWEDEN 
DENMARK 
NETHERLANDS 
SPAIN 
GIBRALTAR
|
