- Maltese Team Hacienda Bar wins Budweiser Plate tournament

Participating teams in 2009 Budweiser Cup International Finals at Old Trafford in Manchester, UK

A football team from Hacienda Bar represented Malta in the 2009 Budweiser Cup international finals on 25th May 2009 at Old Trafford in Manchester, UK, competing against other recreational football players from Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Dubai, India, Ireland, Qatar, Sweden and Vietnam.

After a day of competition, Team Argentina emerged among the 12 squads to win the 2009 Budweiser Cup Championship, defeating Vietnam 1-0 on penalties. Hacienda Bar did Malta proud by winning the Budweiser Plate tournament, beating off stiff competition from Teams Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Sweden, and India. Overall, Team Malta, Hacienda Bar placed 3rd out of 12 countries.

“Walking through the Players’ Tunnel onto the pitch at The Theatre of Dreams and hearing the Champions League song is the highlight of my experience,” said Team Malta player Beppe Antigniolo, who scored a total of 7 goals during the tournament.

Matthew Debono, another member of the team, added “Right from the first day - training at Carrington with Manchester United Soccer School Academy and with Bryan Robson, changing in the first team dressing rooms and playing at Old Trafford - was all a dream come true.” Matthew also thanked Nobby Vella – the manager of the team for the hard work and for forming a team of “gladiators”, as described by Alan Keegan during the awards ceremony.

“The Budweiser Cup offered football fans the thrill of representing their countries on a world-famous pitch, as well as the chance to meet fellow football players from around the globe,” said Claudia Attard, Brand Manager for Budweiser. “The Maltese team played extremely well; little did we imagine that we would return home from such an international tournament with a prize!”

Manchester United Legends Denis Irwin and Clayton Blackmore were on-hand during the tournament to enjoy the matches and take photos with the teams. Team Hacienda Bar were very proud to receive The Budweiser Plate from football icon Sir Bobby Charlton. Nobby Vella, Player/Manager of the team summed it all up very well: “Such a beautiful experience that will be in our memories for a lifetime.”

Teams played 10-minute games on quarter-sized fields under the 6-on-6 format. Six players were able to play at a time and teams were permitted up to eight players on their rosters, allowing for substitutions throughout the game.

Budweiser is a proud supporter of the Premier League and Manchester United Football Club.  Budweiser has also been the official beer sponsor of the FIFA World CupÔ since 1986, continuing in 2010 and 2014.