National 5-a-side tournament
[Stockport's Triumph |
Tournament Results
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Stockport Retain Trophy
August bank holiday means one thing for members of the Ukrainian Youth Association, Bazaar at Tarasivka. Bazaar is a chance to buy traditional Ukrainian items, souvenirs, football shirts, CDs. A chance to eat home made varenyky, drink a bottle of Ukrainian beer. Friends who haven’t seen each other for a while have an opportunity to catch up. For younger members Bazaar is the end of summer party, a last chance to party with friends from summer camps before going back to school.
This years Bazaar was like every other year, beer food, meeting of friends, but there was something extra. The UYA annual 5-a-side football tournament was held. Members of the UYA from around the country came to represent their branches.
16 teams entered the tournament, which started in Bradford 22 years ago. This year was the first time the tournament had been held outdoor for the first time, given this years weather in the UK this was considered brave! Luckily the clouds had a day off, and if anything, people complained it was too hot (obviously we’ve been in the UK to long, and picked up the English habit of complaining one way or the other)!
Holding the tournament outdoor together with Bazaar was the brainchild of UYA national committee member Darren Werbowy, whose efforts resulted in a superb tournament. The two pitches had the ideal playing surface, grass, with inflatable walls.
No one could complain of not playing enough football, the tournament started in the morning and continued into the early evening. Stockport came with the intention of retaining the trophy the won in Manchester the previous year, and that they accomplished, beating Manchester 3-1 in the final.
After the football the organiser Darren Werbowy presented the trophies and players, spectators and everyone present partied until the early hours of the morning.
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