Sirene Cup I Middelkerke-Oostende, Belgium - 03 untill 04 April 2010 (Easter) (be)

If you like football as much as the beach, the Belgian coast is a safe bet at Easter time. Springtime in Middelkerke and Ostend is the time and place of the Sirene Cup. The programme offers the participants plenty of opportunity for some lazy time on the seafront or the beach after or in-between the matches. The participants in this tournament will be playing at least five matches, but on Saturday these are limited to either the morning or the afternoon in order to allow plenty of time to explore the surroundings. The Sirene Cup participants will have the opportunity for introductions during a welcome evening in the K.G.S. Middelkerke-Leffinge clubhouse; well-deserved relaxation after travelling here with music, snacks and plenty to drink. However, on Saturday, they will be opponents in the qualifiers. There is plenty to do on and around the football pitch, even in the evening. The programme lists a team leader reception in Middelkerke’s clubhouse, as well as a team leaders match on the main pitch. The participants can choose to fight an extra battle in the form of the Penalty Cup. Alternatively, you are welcome to go and experience the local nightlife. On Sunday, the teams are gathered on the pitch again for the remaining qualifiers, the ranking matches and the finals. The award ceremony is part of a farewell evening.

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. The accommodation we offer has been selected with care and must comply to a number of conditions such as are they within easy reach of the sports park, do they provide value for money, are they suitalbe for sports groups, are they safe and are the management fliexible. For more information about the available accommodation please see the pdf pricelist which can be found on this website.

Middelkerke is a seaside-resort situated 9 km south-west of Ostend. This tourist town offers all possible attractions for foreign guests. Along the boulevard you will find the Casino of Middelkerke, bars, restaurants and of course several attractive shopping streets. Bruges (approx. 16 miles). Famous historical centre with many restaurants, bars etc. around the splendid 'Market Square'. The many shopping streets, fish and food market makes the picturesque centre very attractive. Ostend is also known as the 'Queen of the Coastal Towns' and is the only Belgian coastal resort that is as lifely in the winter as it is in the summer. Culture, sport, gastronomy: there's a huge variety of things to choose from. Ostend typically comes alive at night with its many restaurants, bars and pubs. Because of the fact that thousands of English tourists visit Ostend each year, the English even call the city of Ostend 'the most British town in Europe'. Why not combine a day at the beach with a museum? In Ostend, you can visit the North Sea aquarium (open daily from 10.00 - 12.00 and 14.00-18.00, or the Amandine ship, which houses an interactive fisheries museum (open daily from 10.00 - 18.00 hrs). Beach visitors can also go (kite) surfing at a number of locations. Bruges (35 km from Middelkerke) with its beautiful centre filled with stunning buildings is one of the tourist highlights of Belgium. No wonder that the city lures many tourists every season of the year. In particular the “Grand Square” and area around it, is famous for its cultural treasures. Bruges' main shopping and entertainment centre is around the Markt. This is where all the shopping streets such as the Steenstraat and the Zuidzandstraat, meet up. There are also two markets on Saturdays. Bruges is a great town for an evening out, with no end of pubs, beer houses, bistros and restaurants with younger people flocking to the Eiermarkt and the pubs and nightclubs on Op 't Zand. The Markt is the centre of Bruges cultural life. You can't miss the 83 metre, octagonal Belfort tower, from where you'll enjoy wonderful views of the city and even the coastline when the weather permits! Check out Bruges from the other side by taking a boat trip which will transport you around the canals. There are five departure points (incl. the Nieuwstraat and Wollestraat). Boat trips daily between 10.00 and 18. 00 hours. Dolfinarium Boudewijnparc in Brugge. Dolfinarium Boudewijnparc is one of the largest Marine Animal Parcs in Europe with more than 25 attractions and shows. Discover the World of the See and meet the dolphins, sea lions, walruses and seals during the various shows. A delightful Dolfinarium day is not only filled with things to learn about, but also full of excitement with great fun. The little ones can visit Bambinoland, but the `Hurricane`, the `Orca-ride`, the wild river, an indoor ice-skating ring and a Big Wheel are attractions for the older ones. Opening hours: daily from 10.00 hrs till 17.00 hrs. Wednesday closed. For info: www.boudewijnparc.be Funparc Plopsaland in Adinkerke-De Panne (25 km from Middelkerke). Funparc Plopsaland to admire the first rays of sunshine in the Fairy Tale Forest, feel the wind in your hair during a ride in the Dragon or at the wild river of the Castle of King Samson. For the little ones there is Plopgarden with f.e. the traffic parc, the Plopsa Train Express and a huge playground with all kinds of attractions. Plopsaland has more than 30 attractions and shows for young and old, so bring a visit to Plopsaland and experience another beautiful day at the Belgian Coast. Opening hours: daily from 10.00 hrs till 17.30 hrs. For more information see www.plopsaland.be