Red Bull Street Style showcases the world’s best freestyle soccer players and provides them with a stage to battle it out. Last year, the first Red Bull Street Style competition was held and 45 countries from all four corners of the globe sent the winners of their respective National Finals to the World Finals in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Among the international elite was Canada’s own Jose Avalos. For 2009/10 Red Bull Street Style is set to step it up a level, as the world’s best will meet for the final showdown in South Africa on April 15-16 , 2010.
Play by Play
The past few weeks, 14 of Canada’s most talented ballers earned their tickets to the National final in Toronto set for November 15th, 2009 at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre. Competitors battled it out head-to-head and were judged on control, style and creativity. There they will battle, showcasing their skills and agilities for a spot in the World Final in Cape Town, South Africa on April 15 – 16, 2010.
Toronto
Saturday, October 10th marked the first of three regional qualifiers which took place under sunny skies outside BMO Field before the Toronto FC versus San Jose Earthquakes MLS match. Jose Avalos defended his Toronto title and will be out to defend his National title the country’s best freestyle soccer players. Eight fellow Torontonians will be among the ballers, battling for the title.
Vancouver
On Sunday October 11th, the second qualifier took place In Vancouver at The Roundhouse. Pablo Villalta came out on top as he defended his 2008 Vancouver title. Returning to the National Final will also be Calgary’s Edward Yoon. Joining the two West Coast ballers will be Kamloop’s own Craig St. Jean.
Montreal
The last of the regional qualifiers took place on October 25th in Montreal at McGill University, Alex Tremblay was unable to defend his title as the 514 champ, but he did manage to impress the judges in the consolation match to get his ticket to Toronto for the Red Bull Street Style National Final. Joey Plá was crowned champion by judges Darko Kolic, Angelo Destounis and Ruben Ramonda. In the final Joey defeated Georges Chakour, who will also represent Montreal at the National Final on November 15 in Toronto.
Joining the 14 competitors will be two on-line winners who submitted their videos proving why they should be competiting with Canada’s most talented ballers. Voting will commence as soon as the finalists are announced and posted on the Red Bull Canada Facebook fan page. Voting will end at exactly 5pmEST on November 6th. The winners will be announced immediately after.
Judgement Day
Red Bull Street Style’s rules are easy as 3-2-1: three minutes, two players, and one ball form the battleground, in which ball control, skill and style are king. The freestylers face off on a special stage, seven metres in diameter, and need to alternate ball possession every 30 seconds while displaying their most wicked ball tricks to the rhythm of music to impress the judges, beat their rival and move on to the next round. It’s all fair game during those three minutes, except using the hands.
Red Bull Street Style National Final - Toronto, November 15, 2009
Canadian Broadcasting Centre in the Barbara Frum Atrium
250 Front Street West , Toronto, ON
Doors open at 5PM ET
The event is free to all spectators
