All roads will lead to the National Stadium, Providence tonight, for the historic Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National Championship finale, as Linden invades Georgetown to revive an age old sporting rivalry.
The two semi-finals will pit traditional Georgetown giants Sparta Boss and West Front Road-Gold is Money against Dave & Celina’s All-Stars and Silver Bullets of the Mining Town, in what promises to titanic meetings at the world famous venue.
According to an official release from the tournament coordinators, “Organisers Banks DIH under its Guinness brand has provided the ideal setting for what is already being touted as the perfect matchups to bring the curtains down after nearly nine months of enthralling football in the various communities.”
The release added, “The venue is the National Stadium at Providence and the Organisers have pulled out all the stops to make the experience a wonderful one for fans with seating accommodation for around 400 persons now available.” In the opening semi-final at 19:00hrs, Georgetown winner West Front Road-Gold is Money will oppose Linden champion Silver Bullets, in what promises to be a thrilling engagement.
The reigning Linden zone champions have quietly and efficiently moved into the last four almost unnoticed, but are a deadly foe for any team facing them.
Players such as Robin Adams, Damion Williams, Clifton Halley and Jermaine Samuels are known for their quality in this format and will be confident of securing a place in the finale.
However, Gold is Money are a unit known for their efficiency in the final third, led by the prolific Deon Alfred.
This talented squad also can call on the family connection of Randolph Wagner, Hubert, Michael and Jamal Pedro, alongside the always dogged Phillip Rowley.
On the other hand, the format’s most decorated team Sparta Boss, lock horns with defending national champion Dave & Celina’s All-Stars at 20:00hrs.
The correspondence added, “Of course the Guinness Competition does not feel the same if Sparta Boss, the most successful team in the tournament’s history, is not in the reckoning so their presence alone will ignite the ‘love, hate’ relationship they somehow seems to attract.”
It continued, “They face a determined Dave & Celina’s All Stars, who happen to be the current national champions and they would no doubt be aiming to show their fans and critics that last year’s triumph was no fluke. Despite losing a host of players from their last year’s campaign, the Lindeners have shown resilience throughout this year’s competition and even though they lost their Zone title to the other semi-finalist Silver Bullets, their performance so fa in the nationals have been impressive.”
Winners of two national titles and as many Georgetown championships, Sparta Boss have been in clinical form throughout the championship following lopsided wins in the earlier rounds.
The North East La Penitence outfit boast quality players such as veteran hitman Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Sheldon Shepherd, Courtney Britton, Eusi Phillips and Dennis Edwards, all proven match winners and big game players.
For Dave & Celina’s All Stars, the charge for victory will be spearheaded by the dangerous foursome of Tyriq McAllister, Rudy Halley, Emanuel Atkins and Steffon Tappin.
The winners of the aforementioned matches will advance to the grand finale, with the losers facing off in the third place playoff.
All the teams appearing in the semi-finals will be given new uniforms with numbers on the back.
The Organisers have also added a female game comprising teams from Bartica and a mixed team encounter to the night’s proceedings.
Winner of the event will pocket $500,000 and the championship trophy, while the runner-up will collect $250,000 and the corresponding accolade.
The third placed side will receive $200,000 and a trophy, while the fourth positioned unit pockets $100,000 and a trophy.
Admission to the venue is free of cost, but a small fee for parking inside the venue will be charged. Action starts at 19:00hrs.
