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We’re gonna need a bigger venue! IBE 2009 UK Champs Europe It is one of the great b-boy festivals with a weekend of activities in 5 different venues ranging from battles to seminars, exhibitions to workshops and arguably day one’s main event is the UK Champs Europe qualification battle. Stadged annually in Heerlen Holland, last year’s comp drew a larger than average line-up of 30 b-boy crews! So when it was announced that 64 crews had signed up we knew it was going to be a pretty special event. 
On battle day the cities main venue, the Parkstad Theatre was heaving with a mass of b-boys, poppers and hip-hop fans checking out the various areas set aside for different battles and performances. Newly added for this year was the European Popping battle which would qualify the first two for the UK Champs world finals. A more modest line-up than the the crews, it still produced a great battle with two more new French popping stars Cynthia and T-Boogz taking first and second respectfully. The Crew comp kicked off with the amazing spectacle of two battles going at the same time, one at the back of the hall and one in front. The crowd around each circle meant the energy was good and the first rounds and some 30 battles went off without hitch. The judges choose the best 16 crews and once done the competition began in earnest. The line-up covered most of the dopest crews from Europe, including last years winners Rugged Solutions plus Sans Limite, Eastside Ruffneckx, Hustle Kidz, Team Shmetta, Extraordinary Gentlemen and Ragz crew and the hardcore attacking style of the crews meant the battles were fast and furious. The semi’s featured Sans Limite from France against Eastsid Ruffneckx from Ukraine and in the second semi it was Extraordinary Gentlemen from Holland versus Team Shmetta from Belgium. As two crews qualified from this event and as it was the last of the worldwide heats, there was a lot to gain from winning. The battles were as close as you’d expect with all crews showing why they’re the rising stars of the region. Particularly heated was EXG and Team Shmetta. The Belgium team were on point with their routines and worked their strategy well to push EXG into some mistakes but EXG were on fire and hit their solos relentlessly never giving any room for Shmetta to ease off. In the end though it was Team Shmetta that edged the win and booked their place along with Eastside ruffneckx who won an equally close battle with the French crew Sans Limite.   With all the worldwide qualifiers wrapped up, its now on to b-boying’s Grand Prix, the UK Championships World Finals! Its definitely one of the most incredible line-ups yet so make sure you join us for the battle to end all battle! Check out the full line-up plus stats and info an all that’s going down in October by visiting www.bboy.co.uk
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