Ghent wins first tournament in the Belgian Homeless Cup
Posted by Belgium - 28/04/2009
The first ever Belgian Homeless Cup tournament took place on Thursday 23rd April. The car park of the Bosuilstadion of football club Royal Antwerp FC was transformed into thé fooballfield for the homeless for a day. The tournament was a great success with 10 teams from 7 different towns, 130 players in all. The weather was helpful and several political figures showed up, as well as star footballers Gilles De Bilde, Chris Janssens (Lierse) and Spencer Verbiest (Antwerp) and many supporters.
Wearing the outfits of their home town football teams, the teams played the match of their lives, full of spirit and enthusiasm. As if the real Antwerp, Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Genk, AA Gent, KV Kortrijk and Lierse were on the pitch!
Exciting finals
The finals were played by Ghent and Antwerp, the town who represented Belgium in Melbourne last year. It was very close and the outcome was decided with penalties, with victory finally for Ghent. Kortrijk won the Fair Play Cup. Both teams showed off their Cups around the pitch and had their photos taken. There was plenty of press to interview players from all the teams during the day. Third and fourth places went to Lier and Kortrijk.
All participants and their coaches were given a medal for their fair play and returned home brimming with enthusiasm.
Next event
In just one month’s time, on Thursday 28th May the second tournament will take place in Kortrijk. The final winner will be decided in Brussels on Saturday 27th June.
