All photographs copyright footballgirl.com

Printe-mailDiggSaveShare

by Anja Moller

Our editor recently went to Portugal’s beautiful southern coast for the Algarve Women’s Cup.

Now back with a sexy tan and days speaking nothing but bad Portuguese I spent some time with him to talk about the trip, Portuguese food, business and now entering our second year what it has been like for a boy travelling around the world for a blue girl called Jenny and her pink ball.

Anja: How are you Tiago?
Tiago: I’m fine Ja Ja and you?

Good. So did you achieve what you set out to do or was it a wasted trip?
(laughing) Oh no, no far from wasted. It was a fantastic trip both on the field and off it. First of all we ( Tiago travelled with a friend ) went to talk business and that was organised before we left so by day 3 I knew what I would have to do when I returned home.

Then there were some people I met with for the Norway - America game. That was interesting because it was a wonderful setting being in all that sun, for football talk. Off the field the food, people and prices were great but I forgot how beautiful the country is. The background of mountans is something else.

You talked of the business can you explain a little more for our readers?
( laughing ) ''for our readers''..your getting good at this hey. No

The people you met up with?
Oh well they were just coaches of some clubs. Individually I had spoken to them but it was good to get everyone there at the same game and talk. I met the organisers of the Cup who were very busy.

So for one day I had their hectic life and it was a very busy day emailing directions, times and phone calls to get everyone to the game. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I took pictures. So a good day overall.

How was it for your buddy?
Well you would have to ask him really but from what I saw he had a great time. I felt it would be a good idea for him to come and experience our footballgirl world. The travelling, games, people, fans and the general fight behind the scenes we are going through to build this sport.

..and the pictures?
Oh yes. Being a creative person I guessed he’d be good at taking pictures plus he plays football and loves his team. His first go was hard because the camera had a mind of its own plus it turned to dark quickly. The second time he produced some great pictures which wildly impressed me.

What was the Algarve like?
Sunny and very hilly. It is a tourist region so there is everything you would need and want as a tourist however March is not the tourist season so not many places were open and the streets were quiet.

For me though it was perfect. I came for work not to party and if you like to party a summer in the Algarve is perfect. Brand new hotels and football in every bar...and I mean every bar.

However Faro is a bit different on a nice marina and a real Portuguese city. Traffic to go with it. The taxis are the cheapest I have had in Europe and the Estadio Algarve is such a beautiful stadium for football.  I would suggest people take a coach at least once because you get to see the beautiful countryside while relaxing.

Let’s talk football. Which players impressed you?

Hope Solo. Watching the American team play I and the other coaches agreed that they were not the amazing team of the past but whenever a team had a great chance to win Hope Solo made incredible saves.  One shot from Norway in the second half of their game she made a cracking save pushing it over. For me she is no doubt the best goalkeeper in the world.

Therese Sjorgran for Sweden. She’s becoming a real player and hopefully she improves over the summer in time for EURO 2009. Norway's Maren Mjelde was very impressive playing in defence, especially against America. It was good to see the next generation come through for Norway as the talent has dipped since Hege Riise and Dagny Mellgren.

Megan Rapinoe from America. Playing out wide on the right she was really dangeroous in the final. There was space for her to attack or cross the ball in from far. Heather Mitts also for America playing at right full-back. She played at the same high level in every game.

How would you change the Algarve Women's cup?
I would certainly bring England over to play considering there are so many English people in the Algarve. I would also look at taking away the ‘pool’ system because firstly it is unfair and confusing and secondly a straight tournament would be more exciting.

I would also have more evening games so the local community could attend rather than in the afternoon while everyone is at work and school.

Apart from that, more promotion in the actual country, especially with the Portuguese national team playing, who I must say are a great group of ladies.

Compare the Algarve Women’s Cup with your other trips this first year?
Well with the other trips I was going to cover the tournament. They were also organised by the big federations Uefa and fifa while this is organised by the Nordic countries along with the Portuguese federation. 

I could also talk to footballgirls I knew who were playing as it is more relaxed..

The Algarve was more tranquil with less people, you could walk around and switch off from the football for the evening. Plus there is a beach and any footballgirl tournament next to a beach is a positive.

Your favourite trip of the first year (2008)?
I really loved the EURO under 19’s in France. The Olympics, New Zealand and Chile were all great places but there was a very tranquil feeling in France for the Under 19s. The buildings, the cities and the hotel I stayed in made that trip heaven for me. I also spent a lot of time writing so it was perfect.

The hotel was in the centre of town so having a shower and eating breakfast while the sun came out was really relaxing, plus the finals were awesome games. It was great to see players you knew at 16-17 making an impact at that level and the celebrations after the final made it all more pleasant.

Peace. xo xo

The views and opinions expressed in this article and from external websites and/or links are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of footballgirl or www.footballgirl.com

back up top