Gothenburg 2004
In 2004 the Homeless World Cup arrived in Gothenburg. With memories of the Graz tournament still fresh, everyone was determined that the second staging of the tournament should be even bigger, better and change more lives.
208 players representing 26 teams, up from 18 the previous year, arrived in Sweden parading through the streets of Gothenburg as part of the opening parade officially welcoming them all to the 2004 Homeless World Cup.
Host team Sweden kicked off the tournament, and to the delight of their fans, easily wrapped up a 7:2 victory over Spain.
As had happened in Austria the 2004 Homeless World Cup proved irresistaible to fans. Over 40,000 people remained gripped for 160 games played over 7 days.
With hte resigning champions looking strong ut was going to take something special to stop an Austrian Homeless World Cup double, but Italy signally their intent early on with a 19:11 victory over Namibia.
Elsewhere another well-organised England team were progressing solidly and, in Kevin Wilson, they has a goalkeeper of the tournament.
Ireland who endured a tough draw and a slow start, recovered wel to score 79 goals in eight games to pop Portugal to the INSP Network Trophy.
Japan, with an average age of 53, won the Fair Play Award. Although they couldn’t match some of their opponents for skill the Japanese players tried their hardest, played every game with a smile on their faces, and honoured the crowd at each opportunity.
And, despite Evgeniy Adamenko scoring 53 times on his way to the ‘Golden Shoe’ Award, Ukraine couldn’t match the defensive prowess of Denmark. The Danes excellent backline set up them up for a deserved victory in the FAKTUM Trophy.
In the Homeless World Cup proper four teams stood out from the rest. In the semi-finals, however, Italy and Austria proved too strong for Scotland and Poland: the defending champions would play the Italians in the Homeless World Cup final.
Both teams had been hugely impressive throughout the week and the fans looked forward to a match to savour. As with many of these occasions, however, the final proved to be something of an anti-climax. Two early goals unsettled the holders and Italy eventually doubled their advantage to secure a 4:0 victory. The Homeless World Cup Trophy had a new home.
With more teams, more goals (almost 1600) and more fans the Gothenburg tournament was proof that the Homeless World Cup was going from strength to strength.
The players who had thrilled the spectators savoured the atmosphere of the Closing Ceremony. As in 2003 players of all nationalities danced and sang together, thanking both their opponents and the people of Sweden for a fantastic, life changing tournament.
The Homeless World Cup was most definitely here to stay!
