Football - SIFL
Wednesday, 30 September 2009 05:09
Written by Cordelia O'Hare

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Football began modestly in Shanghai. First it was monthly tournaments back in 1994, with teams from Holland, UK, Africa, Germany, Denmark and Russia competing for glory. Then the Shanghai International Football League (SIFL) was formed in 1995 and the game really kicked off! Played on half fields with only 9 pairs of legs a side and no offside rules, the league had room for improvement. In 1996 the SIFL Cup competition and the opening and closing tournaments were started, and the introduction of some more hardware the league increased the level of competition, until in the glorious season of 2000/2001, 11-a-side full FIFA rules were introduced. Real football had made it to Shanghai.

Nowadays, the SIFL has 2 divisions, 4 trophies, 18 teams, MVP awards and an end of season ceremony and party everyone wants an invite to. It is basically an Eastern Barcleys Premier League. In fact, SIFL teams have played in international tournaments against such noted company as Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester United.*

*nth sting youth teams.

AZZURRI

The Azzurri have made a great start to the season, winning the Opening Tournament, a feat that history has shown bodes well for the seasons success. The Azzurri also have the task of defending the coveted SIFL Cup from hungry opponents. However, the conspicuous absence of U-Team, last year’s league winners and previous defenders of the cup should open up the path to victory a little more. Although the Azzurri are of Italian origin, the team current squad fields players from countries all over the world: Brazil, China, Finland, France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, Uruguay and the USA to name a few. It is a preference for the finer things in life like excellent food and wine, fancy football skills and beautiful woman that reins these virile Italian stallions together.

They are on the constant lookout for fresh talent and anyone interested in trying out should contact Niccolo: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

BEAVER UNITED

Beaver United is a team that plays hard on the pitch and parties hard off it. They are affiliated with Re-United, who are in the SIFL 1st division. They train together, travel to and from matches together and drink together after matches at the EAGER BEAVER. Two teams, twice the number of people means twice the fun. The Beavers welcome new players from any country, and of any age. Current players originate from 11 countries - England, Australia, France, Russia, China, Italy, Singapore, USA, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and even Wales (!) and range in age from 20 to well over 40.

If you want to join the team, contact Misha or Niel: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SHANGHAI KRAUTS

After a heart breaking relegation at the end of the 2006/2007 season, the Krauts climbed back into the premier league after a triumph of a season last year. The industrious Germanic empire still reigns supreme even in these harsh economic times, and Heir Rommel Berger is delighted that his European/Asian invasion plans are back on track. The Krauts are back, and have no intention of going anywhere quickly. Founded in 1995, the Krauts (as you may have astutely discerned) are a true German football team, and are already an institution in Shanghai. The players are mostly German or German speaking, but the team also includes players of other nationalities. The Krauts are always very happy to give a warm Willkommen! to football-madmen from all over the world. Whether it’s lining up beer bottles after matches, at one of their many parties, or watching Bundesliga games together, the Krauts have established their own home away from home.

If you would like to join zi Germans, contact Olaf: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

LES BLEUS LIONS

Les Bleus Lions, although French, are (surprisingly) accepting of other nationalities, and field players from Spain to Germany and Sweden, and from the Netherlands to Cameroon. The increase in non-French domiciles may have a slight something to do with the changing of the name from “Olympique Camembert” in 2001 to Les Bleus (slightly less cheesy, if not less French). In 2008, they decided to sell their "French" souls altogether and jump on the bandwagon by naming their team after an aggressive and macho animal; the Shanghai Bulldogs were born. This stuck for a mere season, and the newly revamped Shanghai Lions are ready and r(o)aring to go. Allez les Bleus!

To become a Lion, contact Francois: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MALONES SHANGHAI SHOOTERS

Second place must feel like last after a 6 year winning streak. After coming runner-up to U-Team last season, the sharp Shooters are no doubt in it to win it this time around, and with last year’s winners not around to defend their throne, it could be trophy number 8 for the Shooters. The Shooters are mainly of British origin, but do have players from the USA, Spain, France, New Zealand, Japan, Brazil, Korea and Denmark. Considered by many as the drinking team of the league, they are renowned throughout Asia for their off the field antics. But football is taken more than slightly seriously, as demonstrated by their ‘glittering’ achievements. Domestic and international champions on multiple occasions, the Shooters are looking for fresh legs, and are on the hunt for a couple of young defenders for the new season ahead.

For more information or to join the Shooters, contact Micky: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

O’MALLEY’S ORANJE

O'Malleys Oranje FC are side-lining up for another great season. This team, lead by the irrepressible Tom Bus have been in the SIFL since the dawn of time. Although Dutch in origin (cigar and a waffle, anyone?!), the team today boasts players from around the globe. The Oranje are always good for a laugh before, during and after a game. They are FC Twente supporters and made of tough stuff.

For details on how to regularly wear orange, please contact Tom: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SHANGHAI COSMOS

The Shanghai Cosmos landed in the SIFL in 2008 and after a glorious first season in  which they finished a close second in Division One, they were promoted to the Premiership. A feisty young crowd with the odd pensioner, the Cosmos enjoy parties and football in about equal measure. It has been rumoured that a game of soap chase in the showers after the match is a further pastime the team enjoys.

To join in the shower-time fun, contact James: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SHANGHAI JAPAN

Shanghai Japan are the only Japanese team in the SIFL, and proud of it. The Club was founded in 1995 by the football-crazed Japanese and they are the only team playing in both the SIFL and the SPL (Shanghai Premier league). The team from last year looks unchanged, which means a militantly disciplined 50-strong squad. The team proudly fields last season’s premier division top striker, the great Kiichiro Takeuchi. These boys are fast. Really fast.  Give them a centimetre start and they'll happily leave you in their dust. They are always in the top half of the league on the final day, they won the closing ceremony last year, and look to be strong contenders this season.

For more information and to join Shanghai Japan, contact Hiroshi: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SHANGHAI VIKINGS

The Shanghai Vikings are a bunch of blue blooded Danes, touring the world, raping and pillaging whatever they want (in their own words!). Famous for their soccer skills, their brutal Viking attitude, unfailing team spirit, and especially for their horned helmets, the Vikings are as fierce as they look. The helmets are not only a historical reminder of the long and bloody history of their forefathers, but are also practical when trying to identify each other at odd hours on a Saturday night out. Shanghai Vikings are one of the largest and oldest SIFL teams. Although Danish in origin, the club is now home to players from many nationalities and still trains on Danish beer.

For more information and to join, contact John: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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