Sparta Boss wins inaugural Rio Indoor Streetball Championship
After the dust had settled at the National Gymnasium at Mandela Avenue on Saturday evening, national heavyweight team Sparta Boss, of the East La Penitence environs, emerged inaugural champion of the Rio Indoor Streetball Championship
Sparta Boss chalked up another futsal title on Saturday night at the National Gymnasium
According to an official release from coordinators Three Peat Promotions, “The tournament was an overwhelming success on many fronts, and provides the perfect platform for the improvement of the tournament and the format as a whole. We would like to thank the sponsors for their invaluable commitment and investment in making the tournament a reality, as well as the fans for their unwavering support.”
The release further said, “Ultimately, we would like to thank the players, who displayed discipline and talent in providing and creating a spectacle and product for the fans to consume and enjoy. Without them, there would be no sport. Special praise must also be afforded to the lawmen, who carried out their duties with esteem in providing a safe and conducive atmosphere for all and sundry.”
The capacity crowd which descended on the venue was treated to a thrilling finale, which was decided 5-4 in favour of the Spartans after regulation and extra time ended 1-1.
Million-dollar team: Sheldon Shepherd, elated captain of the victorious Sparta Boss side, collecting his prizes in the presence of his team following the conclusion of the inaugural Rio Indoor Streetball Championship at the National Gymnasium
Clive Nobrega was the guilty party, as he missed from the distance in the tense shoot-out, while Gregory Richardson applied the finishing touch for Sparta Boss to seal the result.
With the win, Sparta Boss pocketed one million dollars and a trophy. The loser walked away with $400,000 and the runners-up title. In the third-place playoff, Gold is Money bested Rio All-Stars 2-0, Keifer Brandt recording goals in the fourth and 16th minutes.
With that win, Gold is Money walked away with $200,000 and a trophy, while the losing Rio All-Stars pocketed $100,000 and the corresponding accolade.
In the earlier semifinal matches, Sparta edged their fierce rival Gold is Money 1-0 when Ryan Hackett scored in the 10th minute; and Bent Street overcame Rio All-Stars 1-0 on penalty kicks after regulation and extra time ended with the game at 4-4.
Nelson fashioned a double, which came in the 21st and 29th minutes for Bent Street, while Daniel Wilson and William Europe respectively scored in the second and 15th minutes. For Rio All-Stars, Kelsey Benjamin bagged a brace in the 18th and 25th, while Andrew Murray netted a double in the 27th and 35th minutes.
