Titan 100 International walking football tournament Crete - May 2023
This years competition saw three teams taking part as Aphrodite Wanderers joined the party with both men’s and mixed teams participating.
The Cyprus teams departed Paphos airport on the evening of the 11th May. After a pleasant flight and short coach journey both the Lions and Wanderers arrived in Kalyves around midnight. The 24 strong Lions party were soon billeted in their luxury accommodation.
Some of the party were happy to rest their weary heads whilst others in true tour fashion wanted to “Get the Party Started!”. With members of both parties enjoying the local hospitality and discussing tactics for the next days tournament, the bar owner finally called time on the frivolities at 04:00 hours by serving those remaining with a shot of Ouzo and Grenadine.
Early on the Friday morning as the dew evaporated, the Titan pitch was inspected, cut and manicured by the Titan Ground Staff and what a beautiful location to play at. With the wonderful backdrop of the Lefka Ori mountains now sparsely covered with the remnants of the winters snow fall and temperatures in the high 20s, the tournament commenced
The rules in Crete are somewhat different to the rest of the world as goals can only be scored from “within” the box so the traveling teams would need to learn and adapt quickly, and that they did! All three teams performed admirably with some notable performances from Micky (the Quiet Man) Bartley in defense for the Wanderers, Simon (the Cat) Pridham and Jane (Blocker) Hyland in Goals for the Lions and the dynamic Duo of Mike and Frode in attack for Titans.
After a long hot day the teams returned to Kalyves for some deserved vittles and further liquid refreshment. The days activities had taken their toll with some team members having a relatively early night whilst others wanted to continue the “Party” and wake the early birds up on their return at 03:00 hours. Saturdays proceedings commenced with a “Young Kids” match which was entertaining and fun to watch with some potential future greats on show albeit a couple maybe better suited to the oval ball. The second day of the main event commenced and it was evident that the Intensive heat and competitiveness of the games was starting to take its toll. Despite this the games continued to be played in a competitive and skillful manner.
At the end of the proceedings Titan amassed the most points in the men’s games with the Lions doing the same in the mixed games.
After the final whistle the teams attended a wonderful prize presentation held at a local taverna in Kalyves. Awards were presented as follows: The Competition Winners (Men & Mixed), Best Player from each team and the Tournament’s best Player which not surprisingly went to the excellent Frode from the Titan’s.
Sunday was a day of reflection and tending to our aching limbs and for some their heads. The upmost credit and thanks must go to Mike and Pam who’s immense efforts made this tour happen and be a wonderful success. They even organised transport into Chania for the afternoon and evening where we all enjoyed a lovely harbour front meal. We returned to Kalyves where we finished the evening with just a “couple” of drinks before retiring to bed.
When we thought the weekend could not get better, as we waited to board our flight home a solitary F16c Fight Falcon rolled onto the runway. After engaging afterburners and rattling eardrums it took off into the sky and commenced with one of the best air displays I have ever witnessed, what a finale to our tour.
Once again special thanks to Mike and Pam, Frode from the Titans for all their efforts in hosting the tournament and Mickey and Lyn in organising the attendance of the Wanderers.
New Player Recruitment:
In reading the above report hopefully you would agree that we are a friendly bunch meeting at the Propilea Sports Centre located on the B7 just before Polis every Monday and Thursday evening at 18:00. The first 30 minutes is skills training and then we play a practice match from 18:30 – 19:30. We then retire to the club house to rehydrate. See the schedule here for upcoming sessions.
John R
