International FC reigned supreme at the Emirates Stadium as they booked a trip to Euro 2012 courtesy of victory at the Carlsberg Pub Cup.
International FC, representing the Britannia pub, were one of three pub teams from south London who took part in a fiercely competitive five a side competition in front of friends, family and former England and Arsenal legend Martin Keown at the weekend.
With the winning team being taken to UEFA EURO 2012 , competition was always going to be tough and Mighty Soweto from Catford and All Stars from Orpington were among the star performers as International FC took the honours.
Over the last four months England’s largest ever football pub tournament has been making its way round the country place with more than 17,000 players putting down their pints and pulling on their shirts to represent their local pub.
Paul Semakula, captain of International FC, said, “It’s been a brilliant day. We’re been playing together but this is the first tournament we have won in a while.
“To think we are off to the Euros with Carlsberg is fantastic – we have been playing for two years and we’ve worked hard to get here.
“It was tense all the way through but we knew we were good enough to win it.”
Martin Keown, who presented medals to all the teams, commented: “I was very impressed with how Mighty Soweto, All Stars and International FC played today and they have to be proud to have got as far as they did today. They can look back with pride at having represented their pub in this fantastic stadium.”
The winning team will be accompanied to UEFA EURO 2012™ by their landlord, to take on European legends who have won countless honours between them – Nuno Valente, Patrik Berger, Michel Salgado, Vitor Baia and Bolo Zenden.
International will represent England under the management of former England international Gareth Southgate before flying to Kiev to see England v Sweden as a Carlsberg VIP.
Before flying out to Poland & Ukraine, the team will take part in a pre-tournament training session at their local pitch with Southgate, be measured for England suits and be presented with their full playing kit.
In the lead up to UEFA EURO 2012™, Carlsberg have revealed their latest advert which is now live on www.youtube.com/Carlsberguk
To get involved with Carlsberg and behind England this summer visit www.carlsbergfanacademy.co.uk
For more information on the Carlsberg Pub Cup please contact henry.robson@fasttrackagency.com
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