VODAPHONE INTERNATIONAL TORNO

Last updated : 02 May 2004 By Editor

From the offish site:

The Vodafone Tournament of Champions is an exotic addition to the international club calendar.

No more appropriate venue than Old Trafford could host four testing matches between Manchester United and three high-profile opponents from around the world. Europe is represented by Holland’s high-profile PSV Eindhoven, South America by mighty Boca Juniors and Asia by ambitious Urawa Red Diamonds.

The mixture of styles and talent guarantees sunshine entertainment for fans both attending the matches and those around the world who will be watching on television and/or following the games and goals via internet. An innovative points bonus system decides the winners of the tournament which is played to a modernistic mini-format league rather than the old knock-out system.

Teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw plus one point for each goal scored. Two double-headers will be staged on August 3 and August 5. Unlike other such tournaments, however, each match will last the full 90 minutes and the clubs are contracted to field their best players. For fans of the European clubs the event thus offers an early opportunity to see their latest signings. Guaranteeing efficient co-ordination of all aspects of the tournament is the Birmingham-based company IEP which has built an unparalleled reputation in almost 20 years organizing international sports events worldwide.