News today that Newcastle United will travel to Portugal at the end of July to compete in the Guadiana Torneo.
It had been expected that Newcastle would play in South Africa in the Vodacom Challenge, which is the top pre-season tournament in Africa, and is hosted by the Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
But it seems that it may be bad news today for our South African readers, and Newcastle will play in the three-team tournament in Portugal, which will be held from Thursday, 26th July through Saturday, 28th July at the Algarve Stadium, near Faro.
As reported yesterday, Newcastle will be playing against the current Portuguese Liga Champions FC Porto, and Greek Champions Olympiacos in the pre-season competition.
FC Porto have been a top team for the last several years in Portugal, and have won their National Championship for for six of the last seven seasons.
Here is the line-up of games for the tournament with each side playing two games:
Thursday, 26th July – FC Porto v Olympiacos (8.45pm kick-off)
Friday, 27th July – Newcastle United v Olympiacos (8.45pm kick-off)
Saturday, 28th July – Newcastle United v FC Porto (8.45pm kick-off)
This will give Newcastle some stiff competition in their pre-season, and in addition to these games, Newcastle have already arranged to play Cardiff, at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday August 11th.
Newcastle will still need to arrange another three pre-season games, before the Premier League season opens on the weekend of August 18th, so we suppose the tournament in South Africa could still be a possibility – maybe.
The Vodacom tournament usually takes place around the middle of July, and last year when Tottenham played, the games took place from 16th July through 23rd July.
Comments welcome.
254 comments so far
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 11:16 PM
Comment #241Beardo,
Debuchy has already put clothes-less pics up, so that would fit in nicely!
Am I the only one who is impressed by Debuch’s tattoos: if Tioté hasn’t broken the enemy, the tatoos definitely will!
ochytoon
Jun 12, 2012 at 11:18 PM
Comment #242JFA
Haha lol, I assume you’re out there for work. Can’t imagine anyone going off to Kazakstan for thier holidays.
Cwarr
True true haha
Jail for Ashley
Jun 12, 2012 at 11:23 PM
Comment #243Ochy,
Thats just the women,no mate wouldnt advise a beach holiday anytime soon 🙂
Paps
Jun 12, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Comment #244Imagine if this website had a proper insider with reliable information. it would be very dull
mattnufc
Jun 12, 2012 at 11:41 PM
Comment #245French transfer window opens 1st July.
kevymartins
Jun 12, 2012 at 11:43 PM
Comment #246Any1 even know if that video works? fe ckers are always banning sh it because of the music
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 11:49 PM
Comment #247@Matt,
No, it opens tomorrow.
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 11:53 PM
Comment #248http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/transfer-zone/2012/06/05/3150889/martin-will-join-lille-reveals-sochaux-president
SmileyFace
Jun 12, 2012 at 11:55 PM
Comment #249This may bit a bit off topic, but how people can say he is replaceable is beyond me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51h9GM6sHSo&feature=fvwrel
Sazzer
Jun 13, 2012 at 12:06 AM
Comment #250@Ben-arfa
Mondial sport have great eye for talent. Almost all of their players could become potential starters of Toon. Hopefully, we can do couple of affairs with them this summer.
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 13, 2012 at 12:15 AM
Comment #251@Sazzer,
Even the cheaper ones still have bags of potential. They’re all less than 30 so would fit the Newcastle ethos and some are French 😉
Sazzer
Jun 13, 2012 at 12:42 AM
Comment #252Yeah their scouting is solid. Mateo Kovacic looks interesting since he 18 and out of contract or at end of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Docn7alzZNk
Paulo Martins
Jun 13, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Comment #253It´s great for me, can see our NUFC here at home in Portugal!
luv the toon
Jun 13, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Comment #254Hey everyone. I posted yesterday, but was kind of disturbing a thread of discussion. haha.
Anyone got any info on how can I purchase tickets to these matches in Portugal?