VIDEO WITH EDGAR DAVIDS: DUTCH BALLERS COMPETING FOR A SPOT AT THE NATIONAL QUALIFIER
Edgar Davids visited schoolyards and hot spots for street soccer on the lookout for talented ball artist to give away wildcards for the Red Bull Street Style National Qualifier. Wednesday September 23rd at 17:00 hrs 16 freestyle soccer players will gather in “de Vondelkerk” (church) in Amsterdam and start the ultimate competition in a head-to-head battle. Holland’s best ball artist will represent The Netherlands during the Red Bull Street Style World Finals in Cape Town, South Africa and continues the battle against winners of 52 participating countries.
Monday September 14th, Edgar Davids visited schoolyards and hot spots for street soccer looking for specific talent, true ball artists. They do exist, ball artists who spend every free hour they have to practice their skills. Most of the time they are not even aware of their ball skills. Davids first stop was the Montessori College in Amsterdam Oost where he challenged young students to show their skills. “I keep an eye on ball control; they need to be in control of the ball. Besides that, the style and interaction with the audience is an important aspect “, so explained Davids. In Amsterdam Oost the ball skills of Nigel Person and Lacina Doumbia were remarkable enough to deserve a wildcard. The Johan Cruijff Court Bos en Lommer was empty, but thanks to wild card winner Nigel Person who directly contacted his friends after meeting Davids the Court at Ijburg was crowded with enthusiastic youth. Achmed was the one showing the best skills and earned the last wildcard. “These three boys have shown that they have talent. What their chances at the National Qualifier are is difficult to tell. The talent in The Netherlands is huge, so the competition will be exiting”, says Davids.
The wild card winners are part of the selection of the 16 freestyle balers who will compete on Wednesday September 23rd in “de Vondelkerk” and start the head-to-head battle. The rules are easy: 3 minutes, 2 players and 1 ball. This creates the battlefield where ball control, creativity and style are the most important. The winner of the National Qualifier will compete against winners of 52 participating countries at the Red Bull Street Style World Finals 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa.
One of the participants of the National Qualifier is Daniel Rooseboom, participant at the Red Bull Street Style World Finals 2008 in Sao Paulo. He is hoping to win and represent The Netherlands again during the World Finals. Whether the luck will be on his side again is the question if you look at the other skilled participants. The battle for a ticket to Cape Town starts Wednesday September 23rd. The judges Edgar Davids, Eszteca Noya (former jurymember So you think you can dance) and Sean Garnier (winner World Finals 2008) will decide who will go to the World Finals 2010.
