Park Cup Hove - Antwerpen, Belgium - 22 untill 23 May 2010 (Whitsun) (be)

With an average income of a full one-third over the national average, Hove is one of the richest communities in Belgium. This posh town still offers a cosy and friendly tournament based on the prevailing principle ‘don’t get stuck up, get stuck in’. Before testing the pitches, the Park Cup participants first get an opportunity to explore the city of Antwerp. On Saturday, all participating teams will play three group games and there is a team leader reception in the club house at noon. At the end of the day, the list of teams that will come into action on Sunday is clear. Of each group of four teams, only the numbers one and two will qualify for the ranking matches on Sunday. However, those who do not manage qualification will not be bored for a second in Antwerp. Saturday evening is a splendid time to see what Antwerp nightlife is all about. Do remember that you are better off tearing yourself away from the pleasant entertainment in this city at a decent time if you have qualified to play the ranking matches, as these will be played on Sunday morning. The finals are played in the afternoon, followed immediately by the award ceremony.

As well as participation at the tournament, Euro-Sportring also arranges the accommodation for the participants. Participants can usually choose between school accommodation, group accommodation (youth accommodation and bungalows) and hotels. Accommodations have been selected with care and must comply to a number of conditions such are they are within easy reach of the sports park, value for money, suitalbe for sports groups, safety provisions and a fliexible management. For more information check out the pdf pricelist (or arrangement brochure) which can be found on this website.

Antwerp:
Antwerp, a city with 500,000 residents, on the banks of the Schelde river, is a historic port with many curiosities and also great pubs. Attractions include the market square with its magnificent church tower, the beautiful city hall with a fountain and the attractive guild houses. The market square is also the scene of the shopping and entertainment centre, which is certainly worth a visit. There are plenty of entertainment venues around the beautiful market square known as the Grote Markt. Sunday mornings are always very busy in the city centre, when the famous 'Vogeltjesmarkt' (bird market and flea market) is organised. The city also has a fantastic, 150 year old zoo. Reasons enough therefore to pay this city a visit more than once! The main shopping streets in Antwerp are the Keyserlei, Leystraat and Meir, though there are plenty of lovely places to shop in the area around the cathedral.
Entertainment is never a problem in Antwerp: the city with no less than 2500 pubs. Most of the nightlife is concentrated in the Groenplaats and Grote Markt. Stadswaag is the place to be for young people's pubs, and the most fashional venues are on the Vlaamse Kaai and Waalse Kaai. Film fans will always find something to suit their tastes in the cinemas around the station area.

Some Tips:
* Why not check out the city and all its places of interest during a boat trip on the Schelde river? Boats depart daily from Londonbrug bridge and the surrounding area. The price and length of the trips varies. There are also trips around parts of the ports area, which give a good impression of life on the Antwerp waters.
* Sundays are busy when the 'Vogeltjesmarkt' (bird market and flea market) is organised on the Graanmarkt, the Oude Vaartplaats and the Blauwtorenplein. It's the largest market in Belgium and a tourist attraction unequalled by none.
* Antwerp Zoo is home to more than 950 species and attracts 1.3 million visitors each year. It is located close to the station. Open: 10.00-18.00. For more information: www.zooantwerp.be

Brussels, 25 miles or so from Hove and the capital of Belgium, is world famous for its beautiful old centre in and around the 'Grote Markt' (Great Market). Besides the numerous restaurants and taverns in small colourful alleys, streets and squares, there are the shopping arcades, the 'Manneken Pis' monument and various impressing monuments.Hove with only 8000 inhabitants is a peaceful, rural municipality around 7 miles south of Antwerp. In 1970, the Volkssterrenwacht ‘Urania’ (The People's Observatory) was founded in Hove. The relative distance between the planets of our solar system is indicated along Geelhandlaan in the centre of the village. For more information: www.urania.be