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[ SPL News ] SPL Thanks the Community After Santa Cup 2011 and a Fantastic Season
Amigos and Amigas,
The great thing about SPL players? They love football—always.
No matter when you organize a match or tournament, they show up ready to play.
The 3rd SPL Santa Cup was no exception:
📍 12 teams
📍 Players from all over the world
📍 8 matches per team
📍 And a whole day of football and fun
🍻 The Plate Group – Keg Cup Glory
The Plate Group battled for one very special prize:
🎁 A 30-liter keg of FREE BEER, kindly offered by the Shanghai Rugby and Football Club.
It was a close call. The Hawks came within a whisker but fell short by just one point.
Japan claimed the beer with 13 points from 5 games—thank goodness they had a team bus to take them home!
Final Ranking – Keg Cup (Plate Group):
- Japan
- Hawks
- Galacticos
- Super 48
- Super Japan
- Flamenkos
🏆 The Santa Cup – A Cinderella Story
The Santa Cup 2011 winner was decided in dramatic fashion—in the final game of the day.
And what a story it was…
Steve, manager of Hard Days Night, sent emails the day before claiming he barely had a team. On Cup day, he said half his players were stuck in Puxi and even asked for a delay.
Meanwhile, he “recruited” Mus, the oldest Lion in the league, to step in as goalkeeper—after paying him an undisclosed sum.
Turns out the chaos worked in their favor.
They:
- Played all 8 games
- Conceded only 1 goal (a penalty)
- Had just 8 players
- And still became Santa Cup champions 2011
A true underdog tale—well done!
Final Ranking – Santa Cup 2011 Group:
- Hard Days Night
- Sino Ball
- Lions
- ERS
- Pistolera Bulls
- Cowboys
📸 A CD with photos from the event is on the way, and yes—Santa Cup 2012 planning is already underway.
🎉 Thank You, SPL Family – What a Year!
As we wrap up 2011, it’s time to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who made it another unforgettable year in the SPL.
- Players – You ARE the SPL
- Referees – Respect for showing up every week and doing a tough job well
- Kevin – The most passionate ref we’ve ever met
- Captains & Team Managers – The glue that holds this league together
- Adam the Grass-Master & his crew – Experts on pitches and pitch-perfect support
- Dulwich School – Best football facilities in Shanghai
- Green City – A fantastic community for football and families
- Shanghai Rugby & Football Club – Thanks for hosting us!
- Golden Bridge Company – Always in our corner
- Latina – Our go-to party venue
- Wives & Girlfriends – For letting us play on Sundays 🙏
- Yamada-san – For keeping the scores and the schedule running like clockwork
- Frederik – Our website master and SPL creator
🌟 Onward to 2012
Let’s carry our SPL spirit strong into the New Year.
We wish you all a happy, healthy, and football-filled 2012!
See you next year on the pitch!
Cheers,
Freek – SPL President On behalf of the SPL Committee
