The Referentes by Teika Valencia Cup Girls match offered pure football for new generations
The Serranos stadium hosted the fourth edition of this exhibition match between pioneering and leading players from different eras in the history of women's football. Tributes to key figures in the promotion and advancement of women's football were central to the subsequent Referentes dinner
The origin of it all. A tribute, a tribute to, and recognition of those who moved the wheel of women's football in Valencia and its impact on the rest of Spain. A way to bring together those figures who marked different eras between the 1980s and the present day, after they've already hung up their boots. This is the essence that has always been emphasized by the Valencia Cup Girls with the celebration of the Referentes by Teika match. A good vending company, fully identified with and committed to the visibility and support of Valencian women's sport, has always believed in this gathering of top and leading figures in football.
The match was held at the Serranos football field, in the heart of Valencia. At the foot of historic, iconic towers, which were the ones that "bent" on the players who showed pure football, and whose motivation, competitiveness, and even less the good rapport between them, has not diminished over the years. And it all happened before the eyes of the younger generations, those girls and teenagers who are competing in the Valencia Cup Girls international youth soccer tournament.
At Serranos, Carmen Nebot, Yolanda Román, Mónica Gimeno, Mariví Simó, Ainhoa Gil, Tere Saurí, Lucía Llano, and Creu Ferrer, wearing red jerseys, gathered; while Ana Hernández 'Petit', Lucía Earlington (a player invited to share this experience with the Referentes), Empar Broch, Silvia Eleuterio, Saray Milà, Eva Antonio, Montse Soler, Laura Belenguer, Irene Polo, Andrea Soler, and Sandra Guerrero, gathered in blue jerseys. Forward Montse Soler took home the MVP award.
Begoña Cano, Head of Communications and Sports Sponsorship at Teika, stated that "we were clear from the very beginning that this Referents match fit perfectly with the line of support and visibility that Teika develops for women's sports through numerous initiatives and the 'They Play, We All Win' program, which is a true equality campaign that defends that when women step onto the pitch, they convey a message that goes far beyond the purely sporting aspect: a message of opportunity, strength, and success: they can achieve anything they set their minds to."
"The holding of this match is very important for this organization because we have always believed in honoring and never forgetting all those female soccer players who moved the needle, who fought and competed in times of great difficulty, paved the way, and also achieved titles and became benchmarks through their play. And the girls and adolescents who participate in the tournament, their families, coaches, and the citizens of Valencia themselves are invited to watch and support this match for its historic significance," said Fernando Brotons, tournament director. After the match, as is tradition, it was time for the Official Dinner of the Women's Match of the Leaders. This year, and in future editions, featured a special tribute to figures who were extremely important off the field for the development of women's football in Valencia. Thus, names such as Antonio Descalzo, Dolores Escamilla, Pepe Ibáñez, Paco Polit, and Pedro Malabia were honored.
It was clearly a very emotional moment. Tere Saurí gave a momentous speech before the presentation of the commemorative plaques, explaining the specific, historical, and chronological significance of each of these key figures for women's football. The feelings of remembrance, closeness, and reunion were evident. Afterwards, Saurí herself presented the commemorative plaque to one of Pepe Ibáñez's sons; Ángeles Olmeda presented the plaque as Paco Polit's godmother, her son receiving it in memory of his father. María José Casamayor "Gullit" presented the award to Federico Marco, son of Dolores Escamilla; Creu Ferrer presented the plaque to Pedro Malabia; and Irene Polo was the sponsor of the award for Antonio Descalzo. A night to remember.
The Valencia Cup Girls, organized by the Sportea Association with the support of Valencia City Council, the Valencia Provincial Council, and the Valencian Community of the Department of Sport of the Generalitat Valenciana, is a sporting and social event that works to promote the visibility of women's sport through football, embracing fundamental values such as camaraderie, fair play, development, healthy competition, and personal experiences. It has an international character and strives to have teams from all over the Valencian Community.
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