Bela against Paquito in ”America VS Europe”

This summer, the world's best men's players will come to Sweden as the top American and European players face each other. Fernando Belasteguin and Paquito Navarro are among the players. 

— It will be a padel party, the head of communication on Euro Finans Invitational, Gustaf Straht, says. 

The tournament is called America vs. Europe and will be held during week 30. The organisers of the tournament are Euro Finans, Arena Båstad and Hotell Skansen. 

The founder is Argentinean Lisandro Borges. 

— It will be a padel party. It is inspired by the tennis Laver Cup, Gustaf Straht says. 

The first two American vs. Europe tournaments will be held in Båstad, Sweden. After that, the venue is unknown. In the summer of 2020, the tournament was planned to be held at the same location but had to be postponed due to Covid-19. 

— Båstad is a perfect place to host. Players from the past appreciate it, and they have experience organizing larger events in connection with tennis. 

Båstad also hosted two WPT tournaments in the summers of 2018 and 2019. The idea is that spectators will be in attendance during week 30 when the tournament will occur.

— It is primarily a live event. It's hard to say at this stage with the audience, but we expect to bring people in on-site, albeit on a smaller scale. 

Could it be pushed back another year if new restrictions come in? 

— That's impossible to answer, of course. We'll have to listen to the authorities, but as things stand, we expect to hold the event with an audience in place. 

The prize money will be 100 000 Euro, and so far it is only a men's tour. A total of nine players will be selected for each team by a team captain. 

— I can reveal that Bela will be on the American side and Paquito on the European side, Gustaf Straht says. 

In addition, several top names from the dominated countries, Argentina and Spain, will be lining up.  

— But we will also bring in players from other countries. 

Will we see any Swedes in the starting line-up? 

— We will, but I don't want to go into who or what now.