The stunning Cartama Oval on the Costa del Sol in Malaga, Spain is the picturesque location for the inaugural Dream11 European Cricket Championship that climaxes on Friday 8 October. 15 European countries are competing for the Dream11 European Cricket Championship crown over four weeks of high-octane T10 action in the Spanish sunshine.
Away from ECC21 action, a thriving local club Costa del Sol CC play league and social cricket at the ground with touring sides featuring heavily in the calendar. Cartama Oval, run by ground owner David Cooper of Sports World Spain, is surrounded by the amazing backdrop of the Malaga mountains. Due to the favourable Mediterranean climate, cricket can be played all year-round on the Costa del Sol, only 15 minutes’ drive from Malaga Airport and 20 minutes from the centre of Malaga.
And the success of the tournament is also testament to the hard-work, industry and endeavours of Costa del Sol Cricket Club President Jay Wild and his energetic and good-humoured team of volunteers who have assisted in the smooth running of ECC21.
“Costa del Sol CC and our members are honoured to be involved in the Dream11 European Cricket Championship. It’s been so exciting so far and we have especially loved welcoming fans and the international players to the Cartama Oval, the wonderful ground where we get to play most of our cricket,” said Wild.
“Hopefully with the cameras showcasing the Dream11 European Cricket Championship action to a global audience, the lovely ground and cricket on the Costa del Sol will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Wild and his team have been incredibly busy all tournament, and this week have been hard at work coaching a host of local schools including the British School Malaga and the Ark Christian School.
Plans are already taking shape for the next European Cricket League, “The Champions League of European Cricket” – ECL22 – with 30 European champion clubs competing over six weeks in February and March at the Cartama Oval to be crowned “Kings of Europe”. Costa del Sol CC, represented by T20 Southern Cricket League champions, Costa Vikings, are still in the mix to qualify if they progress through the Spain regional qualifiers at the Sporting Alfas Ground at the end of October.
Back row l-r, Jay Wild (club president), Ian Higgins, Aiden Cooper, Sameer Nayak, Front row l-r, Fernando Shrard, Andrew Cromb, Brian Caldwell, Egan Dantis
Jay Wild (in blue centre) pictured with members of Cartama Town Hall including Mayor Jorge Gallardo, Mrs. Toni Sanchez, Mrs. Rosa Maria Gonzalez
