Iker Casillas v Rafael Nadal Fundraising Event

World number one Rafael Nadal took on Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas and whole range of sporting starts in the second annual Malaria fundraiser in Madrid on Tuesday (December 16th). The 'Friends of Rafa vs Friends of Iker' event pitted the world's best against each other in such skills as go-karting, tennis and football to raise money in the world-wide fight against Malaria.



Iker Casillas and Rafael Nadal joined together with sportsmen and women from around the world in Madrid to raise money for the war against Malaria. Appointing themselves captains, they led a galaxy of stars in a battle for points in three events - go-carting, tennis and football.

Casillas cunningly included two time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso in his team for the go-carting and the Spaniard romped home to take the win. Formula Three driver Carmen Jorda (Team Iker) put former World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz in his place as she beat him into second.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic took centre stage for the tennis and fast-paced it was not as Nadal and Djokovic gave the others a sporting chance. Fernando Alonso and former tennis number 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero defeated WRC's Carlos Sainz and former French Open champion Carlos Moya, giving team Iker another point.

With the standard of tennis decidedly iffy, few of the players could keep a straight face. ATP regular Feliciano Lopez and 250cc motorbike rider Alvaro Bautista surprised themselves by slipping past Novak Djokovic and Jorge Lorenzo (former 250 cc champion), putting team Iker ahead 3-0. But Rafael Nadal launched a comback alongside his Madrid idol, striker Raul.

Raul showed he was a demon with the volley as they beat world number 12 David Ferrer and Villarreal winger Santi Cazorla to take a point. Nadal then teamed up with Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna to take on David Ferrer and Casillas, and the Madrid keeper showed a suprisingly deft touch at the net, much to his and everybody else's surprise.

However Nadal and Senna closed the game out making the score 3-2, meaning the football round would be the decider. With football players on both sides like Santi Cazorla, Iker Casillas, former West Ham striker Freddy Kanoute, Marcos Senna, Raul and Samuel Eto'o, goals were guaranteed.

Continuing his form from La Liga, Barcelona's Eto'o racked up a hansome tally before picking up a booking with an over enthusastic challenge. Casillas went in goal but arch rival Eto'o had the last laugh with a shot that decieved the Madrid number 1, much to both players amusment.

Tennis player Feliciano Lopez proved he was pretty handy even without a racket in his hands as he outskilled the defence before slotting home with a goal of genuine class. Fernando Alonso proved he hadn't quite picked up the rules, fouling Eto'o to give away a penalty.

But Eto's shot was saved by Casillas providing golfing sensation Sergio Garcia a chance to help team Iker to victory, one which he took with considerable aplomb. Nadal then rose highest to head home number four before Casillas showed why he only made it as a player by keeping goal.

On a rare foray up front the Spainish 'keeper planted a wayward shot straight into the face of a watching female journalist, much to his embarrassment. Nadal, who showed his all-round sporting abilty with an impressive display, then picked up his fifth with a cheeky back-heel.

And Carlos Sainz finished the match with a powerful right-footer that took the final score to 11-9 to team Iker. However the real winner was the fight against Malaria, with the event raising in excess of $100,000.