In 30th of August from 15.00-18.00 there will be an unforgettable event held just in the very center of Riga in Esplanāde - freestyle football competition Red Bull Streetstyle. For all ages, colours and sizes.

In 30th of August from 15.00-18.00 there will be an unforgettable event held just in the very center of Riga in Esplanāde - freestyle football competition Red Bull Streetstyle. For all ages, colours and sizes.

What is Red Bull Streetstyle? It is a Freestyle football competition taking place in more than 40 countries around the world. The winners of the national elimination contests advance to the World Finals in South Africa in 2010. But what really is Red Bull Streetstyle? It is the flavour of football that comes from the backyards of our childhood houses, that has no limits in age and gender, that doesn’t need a team, expensive sponsor or luck to meet the right people in the right time – it’s all just about you and the ball.

The principle of Red Bull Street Style is pretty much everything goes! Three minutes, two players, one ball. Just like in a normal game of football you are not allowed to use your hands or arms to control the ball, and it is also forbidden to disturb your opponent in any way during his or her 20-second segment. During the battle, both the ball and the competitor must stay inside the competition area, a circle measuring 7 metres in circumference. What is a battle? The battle comprises two players squaring off against each other in a three-minute session to showcase their footballing skills. Each player receives the ball for a 20 seconds before having to pass it over to his or her opponent. The winner of the battle advances to the next round. Think hip hop battles and you will understand what we mean.
A three person jury will evaluate the freestyler’s performance and select the winner of each head-to-head battle. The judging panel is looking for control (technical skills), creativity, and style, with the latter criterion including everything from interaction with the music and interpretation to the flow of a player’s moves. Participants are free to wear whatever they want. Competitors are, however, forbidden to wear any garment that could give them an unfair advantage in any way, shape or form.

It’s time to get up, and get practising: Red Bull Street Style is back after the great success in 2008! For all those backyard ballers blown away in the Red Bull Streetstyle World finals in Brazil by the skills of reigning world champion Séan (Arnaud Garnier), this is your chance to make a name for yourselves on the freestyle football scene. But you can only get to see or win the World finals by first participating AND winning the local final, so bet there on the 30th of August!