It’s a topsy turvey life supporting CD Tenerife, but sometimes, when they are really good, it all becomes worthwhile. Yesterday was one of those days, at home to resurgent Primera giants Rayo Vallecano, CDT found themselves a player short after just 35 minutes when Manolo Martinez was sent off for a second yellow card. Were we bothered? strangely the answer is no.

Rayo looked quite a bit short of their reputation as promotion candidates and Tenerife responded well to the red card blow. Luna looked rock like at the heart of the defence and with Ricardo showing his best form in midfield, there was a confidence among the 12.025 crowd. Diame went close for Rayo after 41 minutes, their only decent chance, and Alfaro hit the post for Tenerife just before half time.

Into the second half, and normally the home faithfull would be worried about holding a 1-0 lead, let alone a 0-0 scoreline, but there seemed a determination about Tenerife that was to prove prophetic. Juanlu was making a good partnership with Nino (pic) and after 63 minutes, Alfaro fed the ball to Nino to set up Juanlu to blast the ball into the visitors net. There was better to come, Nino, now enjoying God like status in Santa Cruz, hit the bar late on but went one better after 88 minutes, scoring his 7th goal of the season after good work from Ricardo. Â

Cue the celebrations, and the opening of many Dorada bottles as the Armada Sur enjoyed a very happy trip back down south. My head wasn’t too impressed this morning, but Tenerife are back in 6th spot and all thoughts are starting to turn to the Canarian Derby against the Pios in Gran Canaria in 3 weeks.

Boxing comes in many forms, and Tenerife is becoming quite a ring of fire for the noble arts. Next Saturday November 8th , Siam Park becomes the latest venue to stage a top class card, with traditional, kick and even Thai boxing, at the amphitheatre, above the Costa Adeje water park.

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Top of the bill is a World title Kick Boxing clash between Frenchman Hassan Baou and Michel “Tiger” Silveira, a Canarian based Brazilian. Just to underline the wide ranging nature of the evenings fare, the other headline clash features women boxers, Leticia Candal, a Brazilian based in Tenerife, and the UK champion Angel McKenzie. If you think boxers are more about brawn that brain, prepare to have your pre conceptions shattered.

Angel McKenzie may have the “Eye Of The Tiger” but she has the soul of an artist. The 30 year old was born in Moscow to an affluent, intellectual family and chased her dream to be a rock star, writing and performing in Atas, a band that became known across Russia. Years of studying theatre, performance and anatomy fuelled other creative desires and after moving to the UK in 1997 she started to expand her interests with painting, sculpting and of course music, at her Brixton studio. Sport also inspired her and she got into BMX riding. A spectacular bike accident tore ligaments in both legs and left her unsure if she would walk again. Two years of operations led to weight training and then boxing, a new desire was born, but Angel still makes time to allow her other talents to grow.

Quite a lady, and it should be quite a contest. There is loads more action to enjoy, 3 further boxing matches, 2 kick boxing clashes and even a Thai boxing match up. Thai boxing is a more complete form of fighting, using hands, shins, elbows and knees. The evenings action starts at 9pm and tickets are just 17 euros, phone 922795572 for more details.

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Just like his cousin Theo, Jacob Walcott is a man in form and the Reading forward earned England Under 17’s a 1-1 draw against Spain in La Orotava last night, to send them through to the next stage of the European championships.

The tournament started last Wednesday with Spain thumping Estonia 6-0, while in the later game England could only manage a 0-0 draw with Armenia. That left the group finely poised, Spain looked the hot team, beating Armenia 2-0 on Friday but the England Lions found their roar to batter Estonia 7-0. Englands goals were spread around, Evertons Jose Baxter hit 2, the rest came from Tom Parkes (Leicester City), Jonjo Shelvey (Charlton Athletic), Luke Freeman (Arsenal), Liam Head (Plymouth Argyle), and Ryan Tunnicliffe (Manchester United).

The top 2 countries would go through to the Elite qualifying round in Nyon, Switzerland in December so England and Spain knew they were both more or less secure but there was a lot of pride to play for and both teams had a clean sheet to protect. Jacob Walcott scored after 10 minutes beating Villareals Gran Canarian goalie Kilian Falcon. Englands task got harder after captain Eddie Oshodi (Watford) and Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal) both got sent off for second yellow cards. England held out until 80 minutes when an unfortunate own goal by Ezekiel Fryers (Manchester United) tied the game.

In the end Spain and England were both happy to progress in the competition and the north of Tenerife got to witness some international football. Lots of names to look out for on the England side as they start to push their way into their clubs first teams and maybe look for a place in the squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.Â

International football and a chance to see the next generation of England players comes to Tenerife next week in the Under 17 European championships qualifying round. La Orotava, near Puerto de la Cruz, is the setting for most of the games as England, Spain, Armenia and Estonia battle it out for the 2 top spots that will take them through to the Elite qualifying stage next year.

All the England players are pushing to make the big breakthrough with their club sides, but for some it’s easier than others. Arsenal have already bloodied some of their home grown talent in the cup competitions so names like Luke Freeman, Emmanuel Frimpong, and Jack Wilshere (below)Â may ring a bell. One of the star forwards is Jacob Walcott of Reading, a cousin of senior star Theo Walcott.

The games start on Wednesday October 22 at 5 pm with Spain v Estonia followed by England v Armenia at 7.30 pm, both at La Orotava. On Friday October 24 it’s England v Estonia at 6 pm follwed by Armenia v Spain at 8.30 pm. Because the last 2 games may be vital to qualification places, they both take place at 8.30 pm on Monday October 27, Estonia v Armenia will be the only tournament game to be played at Los Realejos while England take on Spain at La Orotava.

Spain’s squad will be dominated by future stars of Real Madrid and Barcelona, realistically they should be looking at going through with England, but they will be wary of the 2 outsiders springing a surprise. England under coach John Peacock, may well contain a few emerging stars that go on to senior glory in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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Echoes of the Euro 2008 Cup Final rippled through my mind as Spain and Germany squared up to each other, but this time the sport was beach volleyball and the setting was Siam Park. Germany went into this tournament as one of the favourites and lived up to their billing, Jonas Reckermann was a tower of power serving and Misha Urbatzka mopped up most of the balls that threatened to hit the sand. Blimey, I almost sound like I know what I am on about! Well I have enjoyed the Tenerife Champions Cup, it has taught me a new respect for this sport that I pass by so often at the beach.

Germany won 10,000 euros in prize money, the cup and individiual trophies, plus some rather nice winners shirts, can’t be bad. Great Britain had fallen by the wayside in the group stages but Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki are relative newcomers to the sport and hopefully their learning curve will peak in London 2012. Spains first team and Germany made it through from one group and France and Poland from the other, ready for todays semis and final.

Spain and France were first on court, the weekend brought the crowds out and the Champions Girls cheerleaders had a new range of skimpy swim wear to tantalise the chaps. Loud happy clappy music was the order of the day, between play, and the action was top notch. France took a surprise first set lead by 21-17, that spurred Spain to move up a gear and they levelled with a 21-19 second set. All to play for in the deciding set, this time Spain made sure they killed off their opponents 15-11.

Poland and Germany followed, another surprise as Poland went one nil up with a 21-19 set win. The powerful Germans marched back taking the second set 21-11, it seemed they had broken the Polish spirit. No chance, Poland pushed Germany all the way before losing out 15-13.

After 2 such cracking semis, the final, televised live on TV Canarias, had the crowd licking their lips but it was over fairly quickly as Germany crushed Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa 21-14 and 21-12. To the winners the spoils, and the glory of course. The tournament grew in stature and crowds as it went on, and cerainly proved the Siam Park amphitheatre to be a welcome new venue for sporting and musical events. You can also find some of my other pics and reports from the event on www.discovercostaadeje.com You what? you want one last peak at the girls? Oh go on then, twist my arm.

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It’s a serious business this beach volleyball, I arrived in good time for the start of the Tenerife Champions Cup at Siam Park, to find the staff watering and raking the sand court, and a player taking a right pummelling in the physio tent in the corner. Moving into the press and hospitality area around the court, it was baking hot but the sight of the Champions Girls cheerleaders barely dressed and bopping sent my temperature through the roof.

First in action were Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa, Spain’s first team (yellow and red), and Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki of Great Britain (blue and red) . At the launch party last night, I got a chance to ask the GB pair (below)about their life as professional players, Jody (left)Â from Worcester and Martin (right)Â from Edinburgh had just flown in from a tournament in Brazil and they fly out to Dubai in the early hours of Monday, hectic by any standards. The pair train out of Bath University under their New Zealand born coach, and it’s tunnel vision for the next 4 years as London 2012 is their aim. Before that it was time to take on Spain again after beating them in Brazil.

Watching the game unfold, I started to appreciate some of the finer points like the finger signals behind the back to the team mate and the subtle changes of pace from long shots to short flicks over the net. During breaks in play the pairs rested in their seating areas, honing their concentration, not easy to do with the cheerleaders gyrating just behind them.

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So what of the match, Spain took the lead and left GB fighting to stay in touch, before winning the first set 21-15. GB looked to be more even in the next set, but a late burst saw Spain take the set 21-16 and wrap up the match.

It’s a shame the crowd was so sparse, but hopefully the weekend will see a few more people make the effort to see some great sporting action as the competition reaches its climax.Â

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My technical knowledge of beach volleyball could be written on the back of a stamp, despite being hypnotically drawn to the young women playing down on Los Cristianos beach. Well I’m about to get a master class from the best male pairs players in Europe as the Tenerife Champions Cup unfolds at Siam Park from Friday October 3 to Sunday October 5, and entry is FREE.

Great Britain start the action off against Spain’s first pairing at noon on Friday. Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa took part in the recent Olympics and are the top players in Spain. Great Britain’s duo is Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki, who train at Bath University. The pair are gearing up to play on Horse Guards Parade at London 2012, hope they clear up anything the guards horses may have left behind.

Today was the press launch at the amphitheatre, capacity 1,500, just above the Wave Palace and imported beach at Siam Park. Giving a taste of the glamour and excitement to come, the 8 strong cheer leading team of Champions Girls, made a big impression with their alluring smiles. They were a little formal and over dressed today, but I believe they will be strutting their stuff in eye catching outfits during the breaks in games, backed by a light and music display. Don’t worry ladies, this is a mens tournament, and im sure they will impress you with their muscular sporting prowess.

The 8 teams are split into 2 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group going into the semi final stage. First team to 21 points, or a 2 point lead after the 20-20 draw stage, wins a set, and a match is decided over 3 sets. A third deciding set goes to just 15 points, again with the 2 point lead needed after they hit 14-14. Entry is FREE, don’t go to the main entrance of Siam Park, keep going up the side after you come over the motorway, and look for the huge inflatable orange drink can by the door.

MATCHES

·    FRIDAY OCTOBER 3

·    Noon –  Great Britain v Spain 1 Â

·    1pm – Spain 2 v Germany

·    2 pm – France v Italy

·    3 pm – Poland v Russia

·    4 pm – Spain 2 v France

·    5 pm – Spain 1 v Poland

·    SATURDAY OCTOBER 4

·    Noon – Germany v Italy

·    1 pm – Spain 1 v Russia

·    2 pm – Poland v Great Britain

·    3 pm - Spain 2 v Italy

·    4 pm – Germany v France

·    5 pm – Russia v Great Britain

·    SUNDAY OCTOBER 5

·    11.30 am – Ist Semi Final

·    12.30 pm – 2nd Semi Final

·    3 pm – GRAND FINAL

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It will be the end of the pier show for Cemex Tenerife, when the CERS European Cup winners begin the defence of their roller hockey title in Herne Bay on Saturday October 18. Group C also includes Bassano of Italy and Reus of Spain, but it will be the clashes between Kent coast and Canarian holiday island that really capture the imagination.

Herne Bay United to give them their full title, play out of a sports pavillion on the pier and run a full programme of teams at all age levels, as well as artistic skating classes. It’s a bit of a contrast to Cemex Tenerife who play out of the delapidated Pancho Camurria sports hall, just along from the main bus station in Santa Cruz, in front of crowds of barely 100.

At the start of this season the European authorities ruled that the Pancho Camurria is not up to standard for the European games, so the club have to hope that the council splash some cash on a quick make over or they will need to find an alternative venue. Tenerife Guanches, the in line hockey team used to use the same venue but moved to the new Las Galletas sports hall 2 years ago, that could be a suitable escape route for Cemex.

It’s a hard life for Cemex, like most Tenerife sporting teams, they play in a national league, in their case the Ok Spanish League, and have to fly to away games every other week, very time consuming and expensive. If you want to take in a game, the home season starts on Saturday September 20 at 6pm against Reus.

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Dragging myself out of bed every morning for my 9 am pool swim is sometimes hard going, depending on the night befores Dorada intake. Now I have a new inspiration to put my efforts into perspective. Jose Brito and Miguel Cruz set off from El Medano yesterday, to swim around the coast of Tenerife, covering 250 kms in 10 daily stages. The mammoth swim is to promote sport on behalf of Granadilla de Abona and to draw attention to the councils Costa Limpia, cosatal clean up campaign.

The 2 men are doing this unpaid, and have put in months of training, averaging 15 kms per day. Both have a strong swimming pedigree which should serve them well in the challenging days ahead. Jose Brito swam from San Sebastian, La Gomera to Los Cristianos in 2004, and also that year he swam from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura. Cruz has won gold 3 times at 800 metres freestyle in the Spanish national championships, has been in the World top ten for 1,500 metres.

The dolphin like pair set off from El Medano at 10am yesterday with a 5pm scheduled arrival 25kms later at Los Cristianos. They will be shadowed on their swim by 2 boats taking turns, each with 2 crew. The full schedule is as below.

Fri. 12 El Medano to Los Cristianos, 25 kms, 6.25 hours

Sat.13 Los Cristianos to Punta de Teno, Buenavista, 38 kms, 9.50 hours

Sun.14 Punta de Teno to Garachico, 25Â kms, 6.25 hours

Mon.15 Garachico to Puerto de la Cruz, 24 kms, 6.30 hours

Tues.16 Puerto de la Cruz to El Pris, Tacaronte, 17 kms, 4.50 hours

Weds.17 El Pris to Taganana, 26 kms, 7.25 hours

Thurs.18 Taganana to Las Teresitas, Santa Cruz, 23 kms, 6.30 hours

Fri.19 Las Teresitas to Candelaria, 25 kms, 6.25 hours

Sat.20 Candelaria to Fasnia, 18 kms, 4.10 hours

Sun.21 Fasnia to El Medano, 26 kms, 7.10 hours

I don’t know about you, but i’m knackered just looking at the route. God speed to both of them and please let them have calm seas and helpful currents.

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There is no rich Arab, American or Russian pumping millions into CD Tenerife, although looking at them ripping the soul out of the game in England, that may be a blessing. It’s hard graft for CDT as they strive to reduce the club debt, well it is nearly down to 30 million euros, so any money saving idea is worth considering. The latest brainwave is to get a plane to be used jointly by CD Tenerife and Las Palmas, our deadly rivals from Gran Canaria.

Both teams are in the Segunda Division, just below the Primera big guns of Real, Barcelona etc, and both have to travel to the mainland every other game, often via a couple of changes, all at great expense. The new plane would have both team names and logos emblazened on the side, and would whisk the players quickly and in comfort to away games.

The key man in this cunning plan is Miguel Concepcion, President of CDT and Islas Airways, he has the power to make it happen. I used Islas Airways in January for a return trip to Lanzarote, and they were very good, the plane I snapped on the runway (above) is an Alenia ATR 42 which carries 72 passengers, perfect for a football squad and back up staff.

Maybe they can supply a supporters plane for the Armada Sur , must have a bar, so we can get to all the away games. The whole idea looks good, even if it means sharing a plane with the Las Palmas Pios, we can make sure there is an outside toilet on the week they are flying. So clear the runway for the football special, anyone for duty free?