Titanic clashes are set to occur this evening at the National Gymnasium when the round of 16 matches of the inaugural Rio Indoor Streetball Championship commence.
“We are now at the business end of the tournament where the rules are simple, win and progress or lose and go home,” a release from the organisers stated yesterday.
“The tournament has witnessed quality and entertaining football from the start and the knockout round promises to be even more exciting and competitive as the best teams have progressed and will face-off.
“The battle lines have been drawn, the fans have selected their favorite teams and we anticipate a wonderful night of action. It’s D-Day in the National Gymnasium,” the release added.
“We would also like to thank the fans for their support during this inaugural venture as well as the lawmen who have carried out their duties with aplomb. The officers have ensured that a safe environment is realized and created every evening, much to the satisfaction and appreciation of the fans and players who have witnessed an incident free championship,” the organisers stated.
In the opening game, West Demerara unit Showstoppers battles East Coast Demerara side BV at 19:00hrs while Future Stars will lock horns with Kingston at 19:30hrs.
In the third match, Rio All-Stars will oppose Tiger Bay from 20:00hrs, Leopold Street will tackle Alexander Village from 20:39hrs and Broad Street will engage Back Circle at 21:00hrs.
In the sixth matchup, Gold is Money faces-off with Albouystown from 21:30hrs while Sparta Boss matches skills with Avocado Ballers from 22:00hrs. In the final match, Bent Street tackles Sophia at 22:30hrs.
In the final round of group matches held at the same venue on Thursday, the trio of Bent Street, Showstoppers and BV secured easy wins.
BV dismantled Avocado Ballers 4-0. Akin Curry recorded a hat trick in the fourth, sixth and ninth minute while Shemar Fraser scored in the 18th minute.
Likewise Showstoppers crushed Stabroek Ballers 4-1. Stephon Jupiter amassed a brace in the fifth and 14th minute while Delon Lanferman and Keanu Lawrence scored in the third and seventh minute each.
For Stabroek, Seon Taylor netted in the fourth minute. Also Bent Street bested LA Ballers 4-2. Colin Nelson tallied a double in the sixth and 14th minute while Daniel Wilson and Adrian Aaron scored in the 17th and 19th minute each.
For the losers, Simeon Moore registered a double in the 12th and 16th minute. In other results, Leopold Street and Tiger Bay battled to a scoreless draw, while Broad Street and Ol Skool contested an identical result.
Also, Future Stars and Albouystown played to a 0-0 scoreline.
