Footballers enjoyed an exciting start to the week-long International Gay and Lesbian Football Association Championship with a series of matches on bank holiday Monday.
The tournament, supported by Pink Paper as official newspaper, officially started on 24 August with an opening ceremony at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire. But the first matches were in the capital’s Regent’s Park on 25 August (2008).
The sport will continue until the final on 30 August at Leyton Orient Football Club and will see a total of 40 gay male and female football teams from around the world will compete and celebrate together with exclusive parties and social events.
There are three trophies up for grabs in the Men’s First and Second Divison and the Women’s Division.
Tournament favourites for the Men’s First Division are SAFGay Argentina, Stonewall FC, Florida Storm and Samurai Japan. These are all strong teams, Samurai Japan are Outgames champions and Stonewall FC and SAFGay came head to head in a closely fought quarter final in last year’s 2007 Buenos Aires IGLFA Championships.
In the Women’s Division, Gay Games silver medallists Hackney WFC are strong contenders but a Chosen FEW, a team from Soweto, South Africa who are taking part via the Outreach scholarship programme have brought two strong squads to London. So the next few days will be a test of who can hold their nerve when the pressure is on.
The morning sun was out to welcome in the first round of matches over Regent’s Park which began promptly at 10.30. The atmosphere was expectant, there was a buzz in the air before the refs blew their first whistles of the day.
In the Men’s First Division it was the champion favourites SAFGay Argentina who made a competitive first start in their game against Samurai Japan with a 3-2 victory. The more cohesive football came from SAFGay in the opening 15 minutes.
Japan Samurai did try to assert themselves a little, however the nimble feet of SAFGay were created openings and had several early chances at goal that were pinged wide.
SAFGay then went on to overwhelm the Toronto Titans 7-0.
Elsewhere, The London Falcons breezed through their first match against a rather timid Stockholm Snipers side with a 4-1 victory. They then went on to beat the might of Florida Storm 2-1 in a close-fought match. A rather disappointing day for Florida, more was expected from this strong side that simply could not break through to hit the back of the net.
As the day progressed the situation did not improve for the Stockholm Snipers either. In their second match they were thoroughly beaten 7-0 by the Stonewall Lions. And so, the end of the first day saw both SAFGay Argentina and The London Falcons, who had won all their games, jointly holding top place in Division One.
Across the pitch, the women’s favourites Hackney WFC started the stronger in their game against Bent… Like Beckham winning 3-0.
Bent had to defend deep to hit Hackney on the counter attack. Into the second half Hackney were much stronger defensively and looked dangerous. In their second match against Chosen FEW Hackney looked to have gained even more confidence, playing some nice passing football. They looked fit and strong and ended the day in a good position, second place so far in their Division.
Bent… Like Beckham did come back into their own in the afternoon winning against a rather lack lustre Alexander Park. In their first game in the morning Alexander Park against Chosen FEW, they seemed to have a good strong midfield with a solid defence. They were playing a game of quick one two touches and creating chances for themselves. However by the afternoon against Bent… Like Beckham they seemed tired and unorganised, choosing to play the ball down the middle when going wide would have been the best form of attack. They never looked a threat when they had possession, fumbling with the ball instead of manipulating it, Bent… Like Beckham easily controlled the game and deserved a win.
In Men’s Division Two, London Titans had mixed fortunes opening with a win against Leicester but stumbling to defeat against GFSN rivals Brighton, whilst their second team lost to Yorkshire after a comfortable 4-0 win against Canadian side Hogtown.
Stonewall fielded two reserve sides in Division Two. Stonewall Wreckers fell to defeat against Mexico before inflicting a 5-0 defeat to Birmingham Blaze, whilst Stonewall Apprentices side made light work of Hotscots and Bournemouth to win both their opening games.
And finally, hosts Leftfooters fielding three teams enjoyed a less than successful start, suffering defeats in all their opening games.
It was a great warm atmosphere with rival teams sharing a laugh and joke in between games and committed supporters cheering on the sidelines waving flags and scarves.