A lot of European men and women teams were involved in The World Red Sea Eilat Cup held in Eilat, Israel in mid march 2018. Reigning European champions Miguel Pinheiro & Nelson Pereira came up short in the final against Brazil, but delivered a good game against one of the best team in the world.
Portuguese and European champion Miguel Pinheiro with a shark block on Brazilian super star Eduardo Gasparini. The crowd witnessed a very high level in the final. Photo: Eilat Footvolley
Teams from around the world gathered in this traditional tournament and proved to be the biggest and most successful edition ever. Amongst the many countries who participated were; 🇬🇷Greece, 🇫🇷France, 🇳🇱Holland, 🇪🇸Spain, 🇵🇹Portugal, 🇳🇴Norway, 🇧🇷Brazil, 🇵🇾Paraguay, 🏴England, 🇦🇹Austria, 🇩🇪Germany, 🇺🇸USA and of course 🇮🇱Israel in the lineup.
It is nice to see the international footvolley family growing. It is especially nice to see so many women now finding their way into this amazing sport.
The tournament was administrated by Eilat Footvolley, Luiz Gomes and the help of the Israel Footvolley Association (IFA). The knock-out stages were broadcasted live on national television on Israel's channel 'One'; Israels most accredited sports channel.
Some of the best teams in the world participated in the tournament and in addition a few of Israels own best players like Maor Haas and Pascal Schmidt who won the European Groningen Cup and made it to the quarter finals in Eilat, as well as Israels current number one team, Oren Zuberi and Ron Ben Yishay who took 4th place in Eilat this year.
Results mens tournament
🏆1. place: 🇧🇷Brazil: Eduardo Gasparini & Marcellino Schiling
🥈2. place: 🇵🇹Portugal: Miguel Pinheiro & Nelson Pereira
🥉3. place: 🇵🇾Paraguay: Fernando Lugo & Victor Martinez
4. place: 🇮🇱Israel 1: Oren Zubeari & Ron Ben Vishay
Results womens tournament
🏆1. place: 🇧🇷Brazil: Natalia Guitler & Josy Souza
🥈2. place: 🇳🇱Holland 1: Evelyn Dobbinga & Isabel Harrysson Rodrigues
🥉3. place: 🇩🇪Germany: Rebecca Gabriell & Carolin Schultze
4. place : 🇳🇱Holland : Nynke Karrenbeld & Selma van Berkel
In the coming year another footvolley national league will take place and is expected to reach new heights in Israel. Besides the league there are many more tournaments planned for men and women. Educational and social projects are being worked on in order to keep the already rapidly growing community of footvolley players evolving, with a special focus on building interest from younger players.
The EFVL congratulates Israel with a well organized tournament with a very high level and the inclusion of so many EFVL-members.
Winners Eduardo Gasparini & Marcellino Schiling and Natalia Guitler & Josy Souza Photo: Eilat Footvolley