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India Must Try Beach Soccer, Will Fall in Love

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There’s a Dutch motto that states, “Doe maar normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg,” meaning – just act normal, that’s crazy enough. The country’s beach soccer league, Holland Beach Soccer, takes that motto to heart as it displays one of the best live sporting events in a remarkable but surprisingly humble manner.

On a recent trip to Amsterdam, I stumbled upon a beach soccer tournament in the middle of Dam Square. In the center of one of the busiest summer tourist spots was a square field of sand surrounded by rows of blue bleachers, companies and sponsors marketing themselves through posters and give-aways, and of course, music blasting loud enough to attract eyeballs from a few blocks away. It was the Heavy Water Open NK Beachsoccer, an event that ran from earlier in the week (training sessions for kids) to the weekend tournament.

So, what exactly is beach soccer?

It’s exactly what you think it is. The game of soccer being played in a bed of sand, instead of a field. As you can expect, running on sand, especially with a ball, is much more difficult and the size of the field is adjusted accordingly. The “field” they play on isn’t in the center of some majestic domed arena, but rather a make-believe beach surrounded by nets to protect the viewers from being hit in the face. There are no shoes being worn by players during the 12 minute, 5-on-5 match.

In the soccer we all know and love, the ball seems to connected to both the ground the player’s foot. As if on a string, skilled players are able to maneuver through defenders while dribbling a ball that often appears magnetically connected to the ground beneath. In beach soccer, however, the art of ball juggling becomes the true form of entertainment. It is extremely difficult to keep the ball on the ground and move it forward; passes through the air and juggling the ball with the feet become the main methods of moving the ball across the field.

I, along with most parts of the world, will never be able to see another live sporting event like this again. The sport is determined largely by weather and season. Also, there will never be a day when soccer is thought of as a beach sport, rather than one played on a large field. Nevertheless, the two twelve minute games I got a chance to watch may have been the best minutes of live sports I have ever seen. It might have been more fun than having good seats at an NBA game. Maybe even more enjoyable than spending a beautiful summer day at a baseball stadium.

The energy and stamina it takes to run around on a bed of sand and still be accurate with a soccer ball was jaw dropping. These athletes may not have been the best soccer players in the world, but I challenge any soccer player to come play competitive beach soccer and not find it exponentially more difficult. It takes an already physically-taxing but beautiful sport to a whole new level. Add in that the tournament was being held in the heart of Amsterdam, and you’ve got a recipe for the ultimate sports spectacle.

Rohit Ghosh is a Senior Writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RohitGhosh. “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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