Happy and hung over, the 2,000 strong army of travelling CD Tenerife fans can hold their heads high after a great 1-0 away win against Las Palmas in Gran Canaria yesterday. Those pesky Pios are now another step nearer the relegation zone while Tenerife can use this as a launch pad for their promotion bid.

The Armada Sur gathered at the Royal Oak in Las Americas for a liquid breakfast and a 10am coach trip up to the ferry port in  Santa Cruz. With surprising promptness we were up and running and in good singing voice as we headed up the motorway. It’s a whole hour to Santa Cruz so we of course made our usual half way stop at the Oasis bar for extra singing juice. Sitting outside in the sun we met a middle aged British couple who were heading over to Gran Canaria for a few days break, I think they were suitably impressed when we told them that all the ferries would be bulging with Tenerife football fans.

Arriving at the port we had time to grab a quick beer at the bar and meet some of the other Tenerife fans that had arrived early for the later and faster ferries. Thanks to the television companies wrangling over who should show “El Classico” and when, booking the ferries at barely a weeks notice left us a bit more fragmented than usual. Normally the Armada Sur go on the one hour Fred Olsen ferry into Agaete, an hours drive from Las Palmas, but this time we were booked on to the larger Naviera Armas ferry that takes 2 and a half hours and goes straight into Las Palmas port. As we piled on board the rain arrived but it couldn’t dampen our enthusiasm, neither could over ambitious attempts to smuggle our own beer aboard, the police confiscated quite a haul from the 500 or so fans on board, they said we could have it back later - yeah really!

What a posh ferry this was, most swarmed around the large circular bar downstairs but some of us headed to the top deck where a swimming pool lurked dangerously close to another bar. The ferry company had been warned that we might like the odd half of shandy but even so they ran out of beer after an hours sailing, I was forced to go onto rum and coke, then they decided to close the bars - i’m sure that infringes our human rights.

We amused ourselves with some community singing and dumped a cuddly Tweetie Pie (a yellow Pio and therefore fair game)  in the pool, instead of drowning it floated ,mockingly, despite our attempts to bombard it. With the bars closed and the prospect of arriving in Las Palmas 2 hours before kick off, some of the Armada Sur decided to slip away from our police cordon and get taxis into Santa Catalina, a busy bar area. The owner of the bar we descended on must have thought it was christmas as we get the beer flowing and invited local shoppers to join our party.

We suddenly realised it was getting very near to the 5.30 kick off and time to flag down some taxis, unfortunately I went to the toilet only to come back and find they had all gone. Luckily I quickly found a cab and got to the ground, the driver wouldn’t go right up to the entrances so I was left to suffer the verbal abuse (I had my Tenerife shirt on of course) of hordes of Pio fans. The General had given us all out tickets in advance so at least I knew the number entrance I needed.

Once in, I joined the swirling flags and colours of the CDT fans in the corner of the ground that we had been assigned. We rode our luck a bit and had our goalie Sergio Aragonoses to thank for some great saves but were giving as good as we got. After 30 minutes Aragoneses made a deep clearance and Alfaro jinked past his marker, Ramos, and beat the home goalkeeper to send the CDT fans wild. Not blessed lately with great defensive performances, we were a bit sceptical about keeping the Pios out, but the team stood firm and the final whistle signalled wild celebrations from the blue and white fans and the inevitable shower of missiles from the Pio fans, of course we didn’t gloat - MUCH.

We had to wait well over an hour for our coach to be allowed out of the stadium car parkbut eventually we were off to the port and up the gang plank. Guess where we stopped first? no, not the souvenir shop, the bar. It was quite a liquid trip home, fair play to our police escorts, they struck their usual menacing poses but left us to enjoy our celebrations in good voice. The crossing seemed to fly by and we were soon on our coach and heading down the motorway to Tenerife South with great memories of another jolly derby day.

Ooh you bounder, what an absolute cad, these were just some of the insults thrown at the referee in CD Tenerife’s 1-1 home draw with Real Sociedad last night in Santa Cruz. There were additional references to the referees poor eyesight, debatable parentage and sexual interests, but CDT fans will wake up today, painfully aware that this was a game they really should have won but they only took a point due to some old familiar failing s of their own.

Sociedad came to play a defensive containing game and looked well organised and hungry in the tackle. Tenerife had a strong first half and made plenty of chances, Kome set up Alfaro early on, but his control let him down in front of goal. Coach Oltra dropped Garcia in the CDT goal and his replacement, Aragoneses showed his worth on the half hour, claiming the ball as Moha raced towards him after winning tha ball off Martinez. At the other end Juanlu had sight of the visitors goal but was squeezed out by a defender and the goalie.

The second half carried on in the same vein, with Tenerife trying to break down their stubborn opponents. Referee Franco ignored a penalty appeal when Nino went down after 55 minutes, but the Tenerife striker followed up with a good shot a couple of minutes later, only to be denied by keeper Bravo. Frustration was setting in for CDT, Kome squandered a good opportunity, firing just wide of the post, and Nino couldn’t quite finish his effort soon after.

The break through came after 86 minutes when Bertran fired Tenerife into the lead after good work from Juanlu. There was plenty more drama to squeeze in, first Gonzalez clearly handled the ball in the area but the referee seemed the only one among the 14,556 crowd not to spot it, and just to rub it in, he booked Bertran for pointing out his error. Still it looked like a home win but in the 3rd minute of injury time, Tenerife conceeded a corner. Set pieces always expose the worst in the CDT defence and Gerardo floated his corner in for Labaka to rise unchallenged and head in the equaliser.

Not the ideal preperation for next Saturdays big derby game at Las Palmas, especially as the Pios won 2-1 away at Eibar. Despite the chopping and changing of the match day to please the television companies, the usual 2,000 or so Tenerife fans will be putting the bar staff through their paces on the ferries across to Gran Canaria next week. I feel an adventure coming on.

Wasn’t it thrilling on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium in London as Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-1, people just couldn’t take their eyes of it, no not the game, the adverts for Canary Islands tourism. It was a corker of a game, but if you could bear to take your eyes off the action, you may have noticed the logo (below) on the pitchside hoardings. This was just part of a three pronged promotion at European football stadiums, to encourage more holiday makers to come to the 7 Canary Islands.

It’s a very innovative and, in my humble football obsessed opinion, good idea, that will also take in the Madrid derby at the Bernabeu Stadium on March 8th 2009 when Real Madrid play Athletico Madrid and will close with a game, yet to be decided, at the Allianz Stadium home of Bayern Munich, befire the end of this season.

The promotion is called “Los Tres Estadios de la Felicidad” (the 3 stadiums of happiness) and each game will be at the centre of a 14 day promotion at the ground. The total cost of the promotion is 250,000 euros, that sounds a lot but just look at the Arsenal game, the crowd was 60,000 and after the game has been relayed to 202 countries, it will reach a potential 500 million people, that’s the power of football.

There was also a full page advert for the Canaries in the Arsenal match programme and a big publicity bash after the game. There were even a few celebs on hand, Bono was there (that’s the rock star, not the multi use Canarian bus ticket) presumably he is a Man United fan, they have a big Irish following.

Back in the real world of football, where money is hard to come by and wins even harder, CD Tenerife slipped back to their usual away form with a 2-1 loss at Levante. It’s gonna be an early start for us CDT fans in 2 weeks for the derby game in Gran Canaria, Canal Plus have decided to show the Las Palmas v CD Tenerife game live on Sunday (November 23) morning at 11am. The Armada Sur will be bright tailed and bushy eyed in their blue and white jim jams, and ready to join the other 1,500 fans at the Santa Cruz ferry port for the traditional pre journey drinkies, singing practice and abuse of Pio effigies ( the victim in the photo met a gruesome end ). The form book always goes out of the window for these games and we must be owed a win after last years sickening equaliser in generous amounts of injury time. The clock is ticking, in the meantime lets hope for a home win next Sunday when Real Sociedad visit Santa Cruz.

It’s a topsy turvey life supporting CD Tenerife, but sometimes, when they are really good, it all becomes worthwhile. Yesterday was one of those days, at home to resurgent Primera giants Rayo Vallecano, CDT found themselves a player short after just 35 minutes when Manolo Martinez was sent off for a second yellow card. Were we bothered? strangely the answer is no.

Rayo looked quite a bit short of their reputation as promotion candidates and Tenerife responded well to the red card blow. Luna looked rock like at the heart of the defence and with Ricardo showing his best form in midfield, there was a confidence among the 12.025 crowd. Diame went close for Rayo after 41 minutes, their only decent chance, and Alfaro hit the post for Tenerife just before half time.

Into the second half, and normally the home faithfull would be worried about holding a 1-0 lead, let alone a 0-0 scoreline, but there seemed a determination about Tenerife that was to prove prophetic. Juanlu was making a good partnership with Nino (pic) and after 63 minutes, Alfaro fed the ball to Nino to set up Juanlu  to blast the ball into the visitors net. There was better to come, Nino, now enjoying God like status in Santa Cruz, hit the bar late on but went one better after 88 minutes, scoring his 7th goal of the season after good work from Ricardo.  

Cue the celebrations, and the opening of many Dorada bottles as the Armada Sur enjoyed a very happy trip back down south. My head wasn’t too impressed this morning, but Tenerife are back in 6th spot and all thoughts are starting to turn to the Canarian Derby against the Pios in Gran Canaria in 3 weeks.

Boxing comes in many forms, and Tenerife is becoming quite a ring of fire for the noble arts. Next Saturday November 8th , Siam Park becomes the latest venue to stage a top class card, with traditional, kick and even Thai boxing, at the amphitheatre, above the Costa Adeje water park.

Top of the bill is a World title Kick Boxing clash between Frenchman Hassan Baou and Michel “Tiger” Silveira, a Canarian based Brazilian. Just to underline the wide ranging nature of the evenings fare, the other headline clash features women boxers, Leticia Candal, a Brazilian based in Tenerife, and the UK champion Angel McKenzie. If you think boxers are more about brawn that brain, prepare to have your pre conceptions shattered.

Angel McKenzie may have the “Eye Of The Tiger” but she has the soul of an artist. The 30 year old was born in Moscow to an affluent, intellectual family and chased her dream to be a rock star, writing and performing in Atas, a band that became known across Russia. Years of studying theatre, performance and anatomy fuelled other creative desires and after moving to the UK in 1997 she started to expand her interests with painting, sculpting and of course music, at her Brixton studio. Sport also inspired her and she got into BMX riding. A spectacular bike accident tore ligaments in both legs and left her unsure if she would walk again. Two years of operations led to weight training and then boxing, a new desire was born, but Angel still makes time to allow her other talents to grow.

Quite a lady, and it should be quite a contest. There is loads more action to enjoy, 3 further boxing matches, 2 kick boxing clashes and even a Thai boxing match up. Thai boxing is a more complete form of fighting, using hands, shins, elbows and knees. The evenings action starts at 9pm and tickets are just 17 euros, phone 922795572 for more details.

Just like his cousin Theo, Jacob Walcott is a man in form and the Reading forward earned England Under 17’s a 1-1 draw against Spain in La Orotava last night, to send them through to the next stage of the European championships.

The tournament started last Wednesday with Spain thumping Estonia 6-0, while in the later game England could only manage a 0-0 draw with Armenia. That left the group finely poised, Spain looked the hot team, beating Armenia 2-0 on Friday but the England Lions found their roar to batter Estonia 7-0. Englands goals were spread around, Evertons Jose Baxter hit 2, the rest came from Tom Parkes (Leicester City), Jonjo Shelvey (Charlton Athletic), Luke Freeman (Arsenal), Liam Head (Plymouth Argyle), and Ryan Tunnicliffe (Manchester United).

The top 2 countries would go through to the Elite qualifying round in Nyon, Switzerland in December so England and Spain knew they were both more or less secure but there was a lot of pride to play for and both teams had a clean sheet to protect. Jacob Walcott scored after 10 minutes beating Villareals Gran Canarian goalie Kilian Falcon. Englands task got harder after captain Eddie Oshodi (Watford) and Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal) both got sent off for second yellow cards. England held out until 80 minutes when an unfortunate own goal by Ezekiel Fryers (Manchester United) tied the game.

In the end Spain and England were both happy to progress in the competition and the north of Tenerife got to witness some international football. Lots of names to look out for on the England side as they start to push their way into their clubs first teams and maybe look for a place in the squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

International football and a chance to see the next generation of England players comes to Tenerife next week in the Under 17 European championships qualifying round. La Orotava, near Puerto de la Cruz, is the setting for most of the games as England, Spain, Armenia and Estonia battle it out for the 2 top spots that will take them through to the Elite qualifying stage next year.

All the England players are pushing to make the big breakthrough with their club sides, but for some it’s easier than others. Arsenal have already bloodied some of their home grown talent in the cup competitions so names like Luke Freeman, Emmanuel Frimpong, and Jack Wilshere (below) may ring a bell. One of the star forwards is Jacob Walcott of Reading, a cousin of senior star Theo Walcott.

The games start on Wednesday October 22 at 5 pm with Spain v Estonia followed by England v Armenia at 7.30 pm, both at La Orotava. On Friday October 24 it’s England v Estonia at 6 pm follwed by Armenia v Spain at 8.30 pm. Because the last 2 games may be vital to qualification places, they both take place at 8.30 pm on Monday October 27, Estonia v Armenia will be the only tournament game to be played at Los Realejos while England take on Spain at La Orotava.

Spain’s squad will be dominated by future stars of Real Madrid and Barcelona, realistically they should be looking at going through with England, but they will be wary of the 2 outsiders springing a surprise. England under coach John Peacock, may well contain a few emerging stars that go on to senior glory in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Echoes of the Euro 2008 Cup Final rippled through my mind as Spain and Germany squared up to each other, but this time the sport was beach volleyball and the setting was Siam Park. Germany went into this tournament as one of the favourites and lived up to their billing, Jonas Reckermann was a tower of power serving and Misha Urbatzka  mopped up most of the balls that threatened to hit the sand. Blimey, I almost sound like I know what I am on about! Well I have enjoyed the Tenerife Champions Cup, it has taught me a new respect for this sport that I pass by so often at the beach.

Germany won 10,000 euros in prize money, the cup and individiual trophies, plus some rather nice winners shirts, can’t be bad. Great Britain had fallen by the wayside in the group stages but Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki are relative newcomers to the sport and hopefully their learning curve will peak in London 2012. Spains first team and Germany made it through from one group and France and Poland from the other, ready for todays semis and final.

Spain and France were first on court, the weekend brought the crowds out and the Champions Girls cheerleaders had a new range of skimpy swim wear to tantalise the chaps. Loud happy clappy music was the order of the day, between play, and the action was top notch. France took a surprise first set lead by 21-17, that spurred Spain to move up a gear and they levelled with a 21-19 second set. All to play for in the deciding set, this time Spain made sure they killed off their opponents 15-11.

Poland and Germany followed, another surprise as Poland went one nil up with a 21-19 set win. The powerful Germans marched back taking the second set 21-11, it seemed they had broken the Polish spirit. No chance, Poland pushed Germany all the way before losing out 15-13.

After 2 such cracking semis, the final, televised live on TV Canarias, had the crowd licking their lips but it was over fairly quickly as Germany crushed Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa 21-14 and 21-12. To the winners the spoils, and the glory of course. The tournament grew in stature and crowds as it went on, and cerainly proved the Siam Park amphitheatre to be a welcome new venue for sporting and musical events. You can also find some of my  other pics and reports from the event on www.discovercostaadeje.com You what? you want one last peak at the girls? Oh go on then, twist my arm.

It’s a serious business this beach volleyball, I arrived in good time for the start of the Tenerife Champions Cup at Siam Park, to find the staff watering and raking the sand court, and a player taking a right pummelling in the physio tent in the corner. Moving into the press and hospitality area around the court, it was baking hot but the sight of the Champions Girls cheerleaders barely dressed and bopping sent my temperature through the roof.

First in action were Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa, Spain’s first team (yellow and red), and Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki of Great Britain (blue and red) . At the launch party last night, I got a chance to ask the GB pair (below)about their life as professional players, Jody (left) from Worcester and Martin (right) from Edinburgh had just flown in from a tournament in Brazil and they fly out to Dubai in the early hours of Monday, hectic by any standards. The pair train out of Bath University under their New Zealand born coach, and it’s tunnel vision for the next 4 years as London 2012 is their aim. Before that it was time to take on Spain again after beating them in Brazil.

Watching the game unfold, I started to appreciate some of the finer points like the finger signals behind the back to the team mate and the subtle changes of pace from long shots to short flicks over the net. During breaks in play the pairs rested in their seating areas, honing their concentration, not easy to do with the cheerleaders gyrating just behind them.

So what of the match, Spain took the lead and left GB fighting to stay in touch, before winning the first set 21-15. GB looked to be more even in the next set, but a late burst saw Spain take the set 21-16 and wrap up the match.

It’s a shame the crowd was so sparse, but hopefully the weekend will see a few more people make the effort to see some great sporting action as the competition reaches its climax. 

My technical knowledge of beach volleyball could be written on the back of a stamp, despite being hypnotically drawn to the young women playing down on Los Cristianos beach. Well I’m about to get a master class from the best male pairs players in Europe as the Tenerife Champions Cup unfolds at Siam Park from Friday October 3 to Sunday October 5, and entry is FREE.

Great Britain start the action off against Spain’s first pairing at noon on Friday. Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa took part in the recent Olympics and are the top players in Spain. Great Britain’s duo is Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki, who train at Bath University. The pair are gearing up to play on Horse Guards Parade at London 2012, hope they clear up anything the guards horses may have left behind.

Today was the press launch at the amphitheatre, capacity 1,500, just above the Wave Palace and imported beach at Siam Park. Giving a taste of the glamour and excitement to come, the 8 strong cheer leading team of Champions Girls, made a big impression with their alluring smiles. They were a little formal and over dressed today, but I believe they will be strutting their stuff in eye catching outfits during the breaks in games, backed by a light and music display. Don’t worry ladies, this is a mens tournament, and im sure they will impress you with their muscular sporting prowess.

The 8 teams are split into 2 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group going into the semi final stage. First team to 21 points, or a 2 point lead after the 20-20 draw stage, wins a set, and a match is decided over 3 sets. A third deciding set goes to just 15 points, again with the 2 point lead needed after they hit 14-14. Entry is FREE, don’t go to the main entrance of Siam Park, keep going up the side after you come over the motorway, and look for the huge inflatable orange drink can by the door.

MATCHES

·     FRIDAY OCTOBER 3

·     Noon -  Great Britain v Spain 1  

·     1pm - Spain 2 v Germany

·     2 pm - France v Italy

·     3 pm - Poland v Russia

·     4 pm - Spain 2 v France

·     5 pm - Spain 1 v Poland

·     SATURDAY OCTOBER 4

·     Noon - Germany v Italy

·     1 pm - Spain 1 v Russia

·     2 pm - Poland v Great Britain

·     3 pm -  Spain 2 v Italy

·     4 pm - Germany v France

·     5 pm - Russia v Great Britain

·     SUNDAY OCTOBER 5

·     11.30 am - Ist Semi Final

·     12.30 pm - 2nd Semi Final

·     3 pm - GRAND FINAL