Women’s Football Sees Successful World Sevens Tournament in Portugal
The World Sevens tournament got underway in Portugal on Saturday, with some of the world’s top women’s football teams in action at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota in Estoril. According to a report by the BBC, the 5,000-capacity ground was transformed for the event, with stands built, TV cameras put in place, and large screens erected.
The match schedule was shuffled after Manchester United’s men’s team reached the Europa League final, which they lost 1-0 to Tottenham on Wednesday. As a result, Manchester United Women’s manager Skinner decided to play earlier in the day to avoid a clash. The team played against City, with fans initially coming in slowly, but as the night wore on, more spectators arrived, filling a stand on the far side of the stadium before Paris St-Germain’s 2-1 win over Benfica.
"It’s interesting. It’s something different. The stadium looks nice," said City fan Leanne Woodall, who travelled out to Estoril. Another fan, Charlotte Wilkins, added: "I play seven-a-side football, so I was really excited to see how the professional players did it and the tactics they used. We couldn’t find where we needed to go when we first got here, but now we’re in, it’s really good and there’s good vibes so far. It’s exciting."
Organisers are hoping to fill the arena on Friday when the semi-finals and final will be played, and more fans are expected to fly out to Portugal in anticipation of Saturday’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Arsenal. The BBC reports that first impressions from the players were certainly positive, with Roma’s Hawa Cissoko saying: "It was so nice, I was really sad it was only one game today, I could play all day like this."
Manchester City interim manager Nick Cushing said the style of football was how they "believe the game should be played". Brazil forward Kerolin added: "I liked a lot the music. In Portugal, the weather is really nice, so everyone is like ‘OK, we like these vibes’. Of course, we want to win and get some money! But it’s a little bit Brazilian, I think. I like the ginga [an informal Brazilian term for expression of creativity with agility and trickery]. I want to get back those things and be a little bit brave. Today I was a little bit unsure – but it will come."
The World Sevens tournament is a significant event in the women’s football calendar, and it is great to see top teams and players in action. The BBC reports that the event has been well-received by fans and players alike, with many enjoying the unique atmosphere and style of play. As the tournament continues, it will be interesting to see how the teams perform and how the event develops.
The success of the World Sevens tournament is a positive sign for women’s football, which has been growing in popularity in recent years. The sport has gained significant attention and investment, and events like this are crucial in helping to promote and develop the game. According to the BBC, the World Sevens is an important event in the women’s football calendar, and it will be interesting to see how it continues to grow and evolve in the coming years.
The BBC has been a leading provider of sports coverage, and their report on the World Sevens tournament provides valuable insights into the event. As a reputable news source, the BBC’s coverage of the tournament is authoritative and informative, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the event.
The World Sevens tournament has been a major talking point in the world of women’s football, with many teams and players in action. The event has been well-received by fans and players alike, and it will be interesting to see how it continues to develop in the coming years. With the support of reputable news sources like the BBC, the tournament is sure to continue to grow in popularity and help promote women’s football.
This article was originally reported by the BBC.
