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Real Madrid romps Peres’ peace team 8:0

Spanish champion leaves no chance for team comprised of Israeli, Palestinian players; some 1000 Palestinians from West Bank attend game

Two days after Real Madrid won the Spanish championship, its players took a break from the celebration to arrive in Israel and play against the Peres Center for Peace's "Peace Team," comprised of Palestinian and Israeli professional players.

 

Prior to the game they played for half-an-hour against a team of Israeli and Palestinian children.

 

The "Peace Match", which was broadcast live on Israeli television, was one-sided, as the Israeli and Palestinian players proved no match for the reigning Spanish league champions.

 

José María Gutiérrez (Guti) led the way with four goals, captain Raul Gonzales added another, while youngster Elvaro Nagrado scored a hat-trick to make it 8:0 for the Spaniards. 

 

The game was attended by numerous world leaders, influential figures from all sectors, and various VIP guests, in addition to 30,000 fans. 

 

Among those in attendance were some 1,000 Palestinians from the West Bank, who were able to make the trip after the IDF and the Civil Administration gave them the necessary clearance to enter Israel.

 


Real Madrid's players celebrate their victory Sunday in Madrid (Photo: AP)

 

The team initially announced its visit to Israel on its homepage, saying its players were coming to support the goals of the Peres Center for Peace and out of a commitment to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians. However, star player, David Beckham did not join because of differences with management.

 

This event's goal was to exemplify the importance of sport as a tool through which to encourage positive dialogue and interaction, and proceeds from the "Peace Match" will support the Peres Center's "Twinned Peace Sport Schools" program, which caters to Palestinian and Israeli youth from disadvantaged and peripheral communities.

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.19.07, 10:57
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