PADANIA RETAIN TITLE FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE EDITON

Gozo defend fifth placing

   The fourth edition of the VIVA World Cup which took place in Gozo between Monday 31st May and Saturday 5th June saw Padania retaining the title with a 1-0 win over Kurdistan in the final.

  The official inauguration of the fourth edition of the VIVA World Cup took place on Monday May 31, 2010 with a ceremony held at the Gozo Stadium.  The ceremony took place in difficult weather conditions due to strong winds.  A number of distinguished guest including Government officials, officials of the NF-Board, the Gozo Football Association, sponsors and officials of local football clubs attended the ceremony.

  The tournament was well contested especially due to high level of competition of the six teams contesting the title.  During the Group stage Kurdistan and Padania won their respective groups with maximum points.  The match from Group 1 between Gozo and Padania (1-2) and the match from Group 2 between Kurdistan and Provence (3-2) were undoubtedly two matches which produced some exciting moments and where the result was only decided during the dying moments.  Occitania and Regno delle Due Sicilie qualified for the semi-finals as runners up of the two groups.

  The first semi-final was a derby between the northern Italians Padania and the southern Italians Regno Delle Due Sicilie.  The northern Italians registered a comfortable 2-0 win.  Mauro Nannini opened the score early during the second period and Maurizio Gaz (ex- Milan and Inter) sealed the issue with a second goal scored four minutes from time.  In the other semi final Kurdistan came from behind to turn the result in their favour in their match against Occitania.  The French side opened the score eight minutes from the break through Eric Gamet but Kurdistan produced a determined reaction after the break.  Kurdistan’s efforts were rewarded.  They leveled the score on 71 minutes through Hydar Qaraman and Karzaz Mohammed scored the goal that put his side in the final eight minutes from time.

  The final match of the tournament between Padania and Kurdistan was a repetition of the previous edition.  Padania came out in a better shape and scored the goal that gave them the title on 24 minutes through midfielder Luca Mosti.  Kurdistan had a determined reaction during the second period but were erratic in their finishing.  Kurdistan also had a goal disallowed for an offside infringement.

  Gozo registered an improvement in this second participation in the VIVA World Cup.  Although the Gozitans did not manage to improve their position in the final placing they produced positive performances and also registered their first official international victory.  In the opening match Gozo remained in contention with Padania until the final stages of the match.  Daniel Bogdanovic and Chris Camilleri were continuous threat to Padania’s rearguard and John Camilleri’s equalizer was well deserved.  Padania’s goalkeeper Pedersoli was called to make a difficult save midway through the second period to deny Bogdanovic from putting Gozo in the lead.  Padania obtained the victory with a goal by Matteo Prandelli seven minutes from time following a corner action.  In the second match of the group stage Gozo compromised their chances to qualify from the group in the first minute of play when Occitania opened the score from a penalty.  Occitania resisted Gozo’s reaction and doubled the score near the end of the first half.  Gozo ended up with a player less on the field early into the second period when Mario Azzopardi was sent off for a foul.  Occitania too advantage and score three more goals before the final whistle.  The hosts produced another good performance in the play-off for the fifth and sixth place by turned a defeat into a victory to win over Provence.  The French side opened the score on 19 minutes through Stephanie Juan but Gozo were not demoralized.  Rodney Buttigieg leveled the score on 59 minutes and John Camilleri gave Gozo a deserved win with a goal that arrived one minute from time.

  In the female competition Padania won the honour with a 7-0 aggregate in two legs against Gozo.  Padania won the first leg 4-0 and obtained the double with a 3-0 win in the last day of the tournament.

  The organization of VIVA World Cup 2010 in Gozo was quite a big challenge for the Gozitan Association.  The collaboration between the NF Board and the Gozitan Association ensured that all the matches were played on schedule and that the pool of referees, Gozitan referees Joe Bajada, Eucharist Portelli, Gheorghi Radu and Vincent Cassar; provided officials for all the matches.  All the participating contingents had words of praise for the logistics of the tournament.  On a note of disappointment was the participation form the public since one expected more attendance to the matches of the tournament.

  The VIVA World Cup official ended with a presentation dinner that took place at a restaurant at Mgarr Harbour where all teams and officials were presented with trophies and mementos of the occasion.  The next edition of the VIVA World Cup will be held in two years time in Kurdistan. 

Results:

Group 1:

Gozo – Padania:          1-2

Padania – Occitania:    1-0

Occitania – Gozo:        5-0

Group 2:

Kurdistan – Regno Delle Due Sicilie:                4-1

Regno Delle Due Sicilie – Provence:                1-0

Provence – Kurdistan:                                     2-3

Semi-finals

Padania – Regno Delle Due Sicilie:                  2-0

Kurdistan – Occitania:                         2-1

5/6 Place play-off

Gozo – Provence:        2-1

3/4 Place play-off

Occitania vs Regno delle Due Sicilie:    2-0

Final

Padania vs Kurdistan:   1-0

Female competition

Leg 1: Gozo – Padania:            0-4

Leg 2: Padania – Gozo:            0-3

VIVA World Cup 2010 Final Placing

1^st Place                   - Padania

2^nd Place                  - Kurdistan

3^rd Place                   - Occitania

4^th Place                   - Regno Delle Due Sicilie

5^th Place                   - Gozo

6^th Place                   - Provence