Games We Play: Didi Bikini triumphs in beach tourney

"It's a great to be distracted for a couple of hours" said one Haifa resident.

By MICKEY KELLER
beach soccer 88 (photo credit: )
beach soccer 88
(photo credit: )
Despite pality, who declared adamantly that they "would not let terrorists win" and explained that amidst doubts and domestic instability they had been determined that the event should take place. The day also provided an escape for the many refugees from the North to which the city was playing host. "It's a great to be distracted for a couple of hours" said one Haifa resident. The tournament featured a high standard of soccer and included some hard fought encounters. "The competition was tough and it's an honor to have won," enthused the Bikini captain Didi Chalfon. The contest was marshaled by professional referees of Israel's premier league. The day concluded with awards presented by Netanya mayor Miriam Fireburg Ikar and members of the city council Haim Freedrich and ex soccer professional Victor Sarussi. Despite the occasional roar of helicopters overhead, Israel's first national beach soccer tournament, held on Friday at Netanya's Herzl beach, went ahead without a hitch. The knockout competition, organized by the city's municipality, featured 16 teams from around the country. The eventual winners, Didi Bikini, overcame Prime Time United 6-0 in a final of particular significance as the runners up almost missed the tournament. The team arrived just minutes before the competition was due to begin after being held up in traffic caused by a Kaytusha rocket landing on the highway. "We're determined to carry on as normal," affirmed one of the players. His sentiments were echoed by competition organizer Coby Barda from the Netanya munici-A player from the Technogoal team (left) challenges a member of Didi Bikini, the eventual winners of the National Beach Soccer Tournament. (courtesy) Please submit items for 'Games We Play' via e-mail to sports@jpost.com