World Soccer tournament 2008 in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands

Amsterdam, 1 June 2008 - The 2008 edition of the WK Amsterdam soccer event is over and Amsterdam has two new 'World Champions'! INDONESIAN Women and SURINAM Men are the new World Champions of Amsterdam 2008!

May  31sth was the day for a brand new edition of World Soccer Amsterdam 2008!  For most contestants the WK Amsterdam is the best tournament of the year. In preparation of this event the teams practice really hard en serious so they’re in their best shape possible. Although the weather forecasts were not impressive, the temperatures were pleasant and the regular moments of sunshine were lovely. Saturday the WK Amsterdam event started with the youth tournament and the group games of the men. The Netherlands were the best performing nations with the youth tournament. Supporters were cheering up their fanatic teams and some of them even took their instruments with them. It was an exciting day, where the teams of the quarterfinals on Sunday were revealed.

Sunday was the day of the finals and all participating teams were really eager to win the tournament. The winners of the 2 female groups, Indonesia and Cape Verde were playing the finals in the early afternoon. After an exciting game the team of Indonesia won the title ‘Women’s World Champion of Amsterdam 2008’. Thanks to the variety of supporters, all side-line entertainment by fans, the performances on stage and music everywhere, the great atmosphere was present again at the event. The big question was of course, who would take home the enormous WK Amsterdam-cup for Men this year, would it be the Moroccan team again?

Despite the disappointments of many teams who were not playing in the semi-finals, each team could look back on a successful tournament. After the semi-finals with Nigeria against Iraq and Morocco against Surinam, the final started on the main field between Surinam and Nigeria. The sun was shining, the crowd cheering and there was no spot left around the field. After a thrilling game which ended with penalties, Surinam won the game. The Surinam men are therefore the new ‘World Champions of Amsterdam 2008’ and everyone can look back on a very successful and multi cultural weekend!

Click here for the interview with Carolien Gehrels, Alderman of Amsterdam!

For more pictures click here!

________________________________________________

Watch the World Soccer - Movies  here. Soon there will be new movies about the tournament, made by students of  Hogeschool Inholland! ________________________________________________

WK Amsterdam 2007

Amsterdam, May 2008 - For the first time in the history of the WK Amsterdam tournament, matches will be organised for women, girls and boys as well as for men.

The aim of the event is to bring cultures together, with teams representing the various nationalities living in the Netherlands. Though the players come from different backgrounds, they share a common passion – soccer.

This year, 58 teams, representing 34 nationalities, will compete for the title ‘World Champion of Amsterdam’. Up to now, the event has had only one winner. Last year it was Morocco. This year, with the event now open to women’s, girls’ and boys’ teams, there will be four winners. Who will they be? We will know on 1 June 2008!