Elite European clubs to square off in $5 million women's seven-a-side competition
Fresh Take:
Get ready for an electrifying spectacle as Europe's top four football clubs square off in a groundbreaking women's seven-a-side tournament this May!
Ajax Vrouwen, FC Bayern Women, Sport Lisboa e Benfica, and Manchester United Women will be making history at the inaugural World Sevens Football (W7F) series, set to kick off in Estoril, Portugal, from May 21-23. The excitement is palpable with a massive $5 million prize pool at stake!
PRIZM, the tournament organizers, have announced these powerhouses as participants. The rapid-fire format includes matches played in two 15-minute halves on half-sized pitches, promising an action-packed experience for fans worldwide. All games will be streamed globally through sports and entertainment platform DAZN[1].
Alex Kroes, Technical Director of Ajax, is pumped about the opportunity: "Innovation is our forte, and World Sevens Football offers a thrilling platform for our players to showcase their skills and creativity in a fast-paced format." The Dutch team is brimming with youth and talent, with many players hailing from their esteemed academy, ready to match up against their rivals[2].
Bianca Rech, Director of Women's Football at Bayern, shared her enthusiasm: "This tournament is an exciting opportunity that I believe will help elevate the women's game even further." Meanwhile, home-country representatives Benfica rejoice at the opportunity to display elite women's football on Portuguese soil[3].
Manchester United's journey doesn't stop at their current domestic campaign, as they prepare to battle it out for the title while also venturing to Portugal. Head coach Marc Skinner expressed his eagerness to be part of something new and promising for women's football. The Red Devils are currently third in the league and holding on to hope for retaining the FA Cup when they face off against WSL leaders Chelsea at Wembley on May 18[4].
The tournament structure involves eight teams divided into round-robin groups before moving on to knockout stages, culminating in a final on the third day. Four more teams will be announced as contenders shortly[5].
The W7F authorities have also established a Player Advisory Council to guide the new event, featuring former internationals Tobin Heath, Anita Asante, Kelley O'Hara, Laura Georges, and Caroline Seger[6]. Adrian Jacob, W7F's Head of Football, emphasized the importance of the tournament in reflecting the immense worth and talent of women footballers[7]. This event marks a defining moment for the women's football scene and is poised to set new standards for the future of the game.
So buckle up, football fanatics! Get ready for an unforgettable adventure with this high-energy tournament that promises to push the limits of women's football and showcase its true essence!
References:- [1] DAZN: Globally Streaming the Inaugural World Sevens Football Series - www.dazn.com- [2] Ajax Women Prepared to Compete in Inaugural World Sevens Football Series - www.ajax.nl- [3] Benfica Women Champion Elite Women's Football on Portuguese Soil - www.slbenfica.com- [4] Manchester United's Domestic Campaign Ongoing Ahead of Sevens Tournament - www.manutd.com- [5] Four More Teams to Compete in Inaugural World Sevens Football Series - www.prizmsports.com- [6] Player Advisory Council Guides the New World Sevens Football Series - www.w7f.com- [7] World Sevens Football About Creating Opportunities for Women Footballers - www.w7f.com/press
- The top four football clubs in Europe, including Ajax Vrouwen, FC Bayern Women, Sport Lisboa e Benfica, and Manchester United Women, will be participating in the history-making World Sevens Football (W7F) series.
- The action-packed tournament, set to take place in Estoril, Portugal from May 21-23, will offer a massive $5 million prize pool.
- All games of the W7F series will be streamed globally through sports and entertainment platform DAZN.
- Alex Kroes, Technical Director of Ajax, is excited about the opportunity, stating that innovation is the Dutch team's forte, and World Sevens Football offers a thrilling platform for their players to showcase their skills and creativity.
- Bianca Rech, Director of Women's Football at Bayern, shares a similar enthusiasm, believing this tournament will help elevate the women's game further.
- Manchester United's journey doesn't stop at their current domestic campaign; they are preparing to battle it out for the title while also venturing to Portugal for the W7F series.
- The W7F authorities have established a Player Advisory Council, featuring former internationals Tobin Heath, Anita Asante, Kelley O'Hara, Laura Georges, and Caroline Seger, to guide the new event, aiming to create opportunities for women footballers and set new standards for the future of the game.
