Twelve countries will compete over nine days to go through to the DCC finals set for Jamaica in December

Wednesday, October 1 - Kingston, Jamaica:  With Stage 1 of the Digicel Caribbean Championships over, 12 countries will now compete in Stage 2 over the course of nine days in three countries. 

Going through to Stage 2 are Netherland Antilles with 4 points, Grenada with 3 points, Guyana with 6 points, Suriname with 3 points, Antigua & Barbuda with 7 points, Cayman Islands with 5 points, Martinique with 6 points, Barbados with 6 points, St. Kitts-Nevis with 3 points as well as Stage 2 hosts Guadeloupe, Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago.

As the 12 National teams prepare for Stage 2 of the DCC, Digicel, the CFU and the three host Football Associations are also making their preparations to ensure the 18 matches set for play over nine days (2 matches per day) all go as scheduled.  The French Department Guadeloupe will host Group F, Cuba will host Group G and Trinidad & Tobago will host Group H.

Below is the group listing for Stage 2 of the Digicel Caribbean Championships:

Group F: Guadeloupe - October 11 - 15
Guadeloupe
Martinique
Cayman IslandsGrenada

Group G: Cuba - October 23 - 27
Cuba
Netherland Antilles
Barbados
Suriname

Group H: Trinidad - November 5 - 9
Trinidad & Tobago
Guyana
Antigua & Barbuda
St. Kitts-Nevis

The Digicel Caribbean Championships, formerly known as the Digicel Caribbean Cup, started in May 2004 when the telecoms company announced its sponsorship of the games.  In partnership with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and 14 federations across the region, the tournament has grown to be the largest world-class football tournament in the Caribbean on par with other international tournaments.  In 2006/7, Haiti emerged as the champions.

The prize pool of US$270,000.00 is the largest to date, with 14 regional teams now competing for the grand prize of a whopping US$120,000.00 and the coveted Digicel Caribbean Championships' trophy.  Second, third and fourth places will receive US$70,000, US$50,000 and US$30,000 respectively.  The top four teams will automatically qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. 

The DCC finals are set to be held in Jamaica in December.

For match pictures and further information visit www.digicelfootball.com