LA ROJITA: Costa Blanca Under-16s Prepare To Play Mexico

Tomorrow’s stars start to shine on the Costa Blanca!
SIX Under-16s teams have been playing recently in Altea, Albir, La Nucia, Benidorm and Polop in the Sportchain AGS Championship.
Spain, Mexico, Russia, Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic have all played matches over five days at football grounds in each of the five Marina Baja towns.
The teams have been staying in Albir and their matches were preceded by several training sessions in preparation for the tournament.
Local residents were particularly interested in the progress through the tournament of the English team as well as the Spanish side, whose manager is Julen Guerrera, a former player for Athletic de Bilbao and Spain’s national side.
The Spanish under-16s are affectionately known as La Rojita, as they have yet to ascend to the giddy heights of La Roja, Spain’s national side, known as The Red, despite the fact that their shirts might be red but their shorts are blue.
The tournament was also the first time that the new Olympic Stadium at the Camilo Cano sports complex in La Nucia has welcomed an international football match.
“This is one of the most important tournaments that we organise each year,” said Sportchain’s Luke van Overbeek.
“The international tournament provides a preparatory phase for the under-16s’ forthcoming matches but it is also a chance to enjoy exceptional football as these young players are future stars,” he emphasised.
Photo credit: La Nucia town hall