News
MAR 27.12.2016
The 21st edition of the LaLiga Promises International Tournament got underway with an action-packed opening day featuring a dozen games, as all 12 participating teams made their tournament bows. There was plenty of fine football, commitment and teamwork on show on a day which saw large numbers descend on Puerto de la Cruz's Estadio Municipal El Peñon.
Over 3,000 supporters took their places in the stands right from early on this morning to catch a glimpse of LaLiga's up-and-coming stars. The talented Under-12s received no shortage of encouragement from the watching onlookers, amongst whom were Javier Tebas, LaLiga's president; Jose Ramon de la Morena, who heads up the eponymous foundation which has been organising the tournament for over 15 years; Lope Afonso, Puerto de la Cruz mayor; and Miguel Angel Gil Marin, Atletico Madrid's director general.
Gil Marin, who was eager to keep close tabs on the young Rojiblancos and was on hand to wish the starlets good luck before they took to the field, voiced his delight at the opportunity the tournament presents, "It's exciting and is a source of pride for Atletico Madrid to be able to foster our club's values in tournaments as prestigious as this one."
The competition's distinctly international feel is this year brought by the presence of Paris Saint-Germain FC, Juventus FC, Middlesbrough FC and Borussia Dortmund, who showcased all of their quality in today's opening fixtures. The tournament, which is being broadcast in over 15 countries, seeks to promote values such as teamwork and sportsmanship.
Overall, the opening group fixtures were hard-fought affairs, with Real Betis, in particular, catching the eye, as the Sevillians became the first side to secure their place in the quarter-finals, with Wednesday's final group matches set to determine who will join them in the next round.
The players' parents were keen not to miss a second of the action and they ensured that the stands were awash with colour, as they played their part in whipping up the party atmosphere which prevailed on the opening day of the LaLiga Promises tournament.
© LALIGA - 2016