Dear Amigos,
I don’t know how he did it but when last Thursday the temperatures in Shanghai suddenly dropped below zero with a strong wind-chill I feared for a frozen Santa Cup. Quickly I thought of changing the cup into an ice-hockey tournament, but when I opened the curtains Sunday morning I saw the blue sky and the temperatures were 12-15 degrees I knew that this was going to be a great day. Of course Santa was proud to have his own Soccer Cup for the first time in Shanghai and I am sure he arranged this day to be perfect with the help of Sophie our weather girl !
Foremost I would like to thank the Captains and the Players and the Referee’s for the success of the Santa Cup. This cup was special for two reason’s. 1) During the day there was a great sense of Friendship and Respect for each other and it was all about Fairplay and there were no red cards and just a few yellow’s 2) The teams kept Competing until the last game whether it was at the final Japan-Hawks or the game for the last place Dulwich-Vlis.
On the day there were two teams outstanding: Japan , who arrived at the Jiangwan stadium 6 in the morning and the Hawks who seem to have found the perfect mix of players called BRITCH (This stands for Brasil/Italy/China). To have these two teams in the final is what you wish for as organizer. The Final was a spectacle and both teams were cheered by the other teams, 1-1 it ended and just one penalty miss from Japan gave the title to the Hawks. Well done to both teams and we are sure Japan will even try harder next year to win the Santa Cup 2009 !
Pls see Santa Cup 2008 Ranking :
1) Hawks
2) Japan
3) Lions
4) Galacticos
5) E-Rouge
6) Bulls
7) Vis
8) Dulwich
Would we have the same ranking at the end of our season ?? Only Santa knows it !!
After the games all of us went to Latina by Dulwich Schoolbusses arranged by John Hinde. We received a warm welcome there with a great BBQ and all the drinks we wished for. The price ceremony saw each team receiving a Santa and our all time favourite Mikki from Japan was voted player of the tournament this to her Big surprise. There were repeated “Merry Christmas” wishes from the Captains especially after the Caiphirinia’s started to work in their heads ! Thiago became Topscorer of the Santa Cup ! Big thank you to Angela and Jacky of Latina for their arrangements of the party.
Now we go back to reality and we have our last games of 2008 this sunday, looking back at 2008 it was a very good year for our league and we hope we can keep the same Spirit and Friendship combined with a Good Competition in 2009 !
10.00 AM E-Rouge-Hawks
I am sure the Hawks want to maintain their unbeaten record this season and the French will try to put up the Great Wall or restore the Berlin Wall to stop them !
12.00 PM Lions – Vlis
Both teams will go for attacking football as they want to end 2008 on a high note and find any reason to enjoy a beer or two after the game !
14.00 PM Dulwich – Galacticos
Given the time of the encounter the Galacticos will have a strong squad ready by 14.00 PM and the Dulwich will try to get out of their losing spell. John Hind told me that after the break we will not recognize them as all the Dulwich players will be turned into top notch athlete’s as well they will have complete new out-fit !
Sunday weather will be ok 11 degrees and still the sky will be blue, where do they get that paint from ?
Check out the website www.shanghaipremierleague.net as Frederik will post the pictures of the tournament. Currently he is helping his wife delivering their second baby in Belgium . We wish them well !
Three apologies from my side :
1) Sorry there was no toilet at the Jiangwan stadium, Michael Kruppe almost exploded on the pitch as he intended to deliver a master piece before the first game. Next year we will lease a portable toilet made in Japan .
2) Sorry I didn’t arrange beer for in the bus !
3) Sorry We didn’t chose the logo ! The race is still on and the decision will be made by the votes on the website with final date 20 December.
Ok enough apologies and last enjoy the last part of 2008 !! See you all on Sunday / Cheers / Freek / SPL President on behalf of the SPL Committee
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