Arsenal Hosts UK Final Dutch Panna at Emirates

Local Lad Becomes Panna King UK,
Goes to Euro Championships

London - 2 june 2009, In the sweltering heat at Arsenal's Emirates stadium, the UK Final Dutch Panna took place for the first time last sunday. Over 260 players attended, with over 1000 spectators on the day. Local boy Chase O'Neill beat players from Hull, Belfast, Liverpool, Glasgow and London to claim first prize and a ticket to the European Championships of Panna Street football in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Dutch Panna Knock Out is a new form of street football from Holland. Panna is the Surinamese/Dutch slang for playing the ball through the legs of your opponents. This grass roots phenomenon originated on the streets of Amsterdam and is highly successful in fostering (cross) community cohesion.

fltr: UK Panna 2009 Tour Winners from Belfast, Hull, Glasgow and Liverpool.

Arsenal's Emirates stadium platform was transformed into a Panna ground for a day last sunday, which saw soaring temperatures in the capital. huge banners and an inflatable archway announced the tournament to passers by as hip hop music cascaded over the platform. Freestylers Nelson de Kok, Mo Boutaka and Joshua "The Dreamer" Agteres all displayed their exceptional skills. Several enthusiasts challenged them to freestyle battles, while everybody had a go at the speed gun. Nelson and Mo provided clinics while Joshua's virtuoso performance (including a moonwalk with the ball) to Michael Jackson's Billy Jean delighted the crowd.

The tournament itself kicked off with open rounds from noon, and saw many local kids battle it out over the few remaining Master round places. At half past two the tournament began in ernest, as the seeded players -winners in Hull, Liverpool, Belfast and Glasgow, as well as the winners from the London rounds- joined the competition. Curtis Ali from Liverpool made it to the semi finals, but it was local lads Chase and Sean that ended up in the final Panna Battle of the UK. In a close fought battle, Chase came out on top to claim first prize. Mayoress of Islington Anna Berent and Deputy Head of Mission Laurens Westhoff of the Dutch embassy presented Chase with the title of Panna King UK and a trip to the European Championships in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Liverpool tournament winner Curtis Ali in action at the Emirates

The Final UK Panna Knock Out Game to determine who will be the UK Panna King of 2009

Mayoress of Islington Anna Berent addresses the Panna crowd after the final

Charge d'Affairs for the Dutch Embassy Laurens Westhoff thanking players and spectators at the UK Panna Final 2009 at the Emirates Stadium

fltr: Frank van Vliet, correspondent for Dutch daily "De Telegraaf", and Panna Tour organisers Rosh Mendis (Arsenal), Jan (UK Tour Dutch Panna), Michael MacNeill (Aquaterra), Chris van Grondelle (UK Tour Dutch Panna), Noel Headon (Islington Council) and Nelson de Kok (Panna Freestyler).