As Part of the reforms planned towards moving FIFA and the game of football forward, the football governing body’s executive committee is believed to be considering the option of expanding the number of teams from the present 32 teams to 40 teams.
This expansion will see other continental bodies get more spots at the World Cup Finals and also see the UEFA teams keep their 13 slots at-least.
This expansion will definitely extend the global football fiesta to well over a month as it currently stands with the 32 team format.
The proposed expanded World Cup format would however not be considered for the Russia 2018 World Cup, but for much latter editions of the World Cup.
United States of America became the first team in history to hold Olympic, World Championship, World Cup and World League crowns at the same time when it beat Netherlands 5-4 in the gold-medal final tonight.
Netherlands was denied a second gold medal after winning in Perth in 1991 and now has five silver medals from this event. For the USA it was a fourth title after victories in 2003, 2007 and 2009.
Twice champion Italy won the bronze medal over Australia in a penalty shootout, closing the match at 7-7 and winning the penalties 5-3 for a 12-10 victory.
USA SETTLES FOR WORLD DOMINATION AND ALL THE TROPHIES. PHOTO CREDIT FINA.ORG
Greece was involved in its third penalty shootout in four days – two for men – when it came back seven times against China for 9-9 to force the five shots. However, like the men the night before, Greece lost the shootout, 3-4 in China’s 13-12 victory.
In the classification match for seventh, outgoing champion Spain beat Russia 15-10.
Brazil has once again proven itself as the table tennis powerhouse in Latin America, with its top players Gustavo TSUBOI and Caroline KUMAHARA claiming the men’s & women’s titles respectively at the 2015 ITTF-Latin America Cup that concluded in Cuba on 31 May 2015.
Their victory means that the duo qualify directly to take on the world’s best players from other continents at the prestigious ITTF World Cup’s later in the year.
Despite losing the first 2 games in the all-Brazilian finals, TSUBOI was able to turn the tide around to defeat the defending champion, Cazuo MATSUMOTO 4-2 (8-11, 6-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-7, 11-7) to claim his second ITTF-Latin America Cup title after his first victory back in 2011.
Delighted about gold, the top seed shared, “We know each other since we are under 18. We train together and this was the most difficult match I had. Our matches were always close and this time I have to fight back. It was really hard when I am trailing behind and I had to change the rhythm to win.”
“It’s a double joy for me because it is also my birthday today. Now I will take some time to enjoy this victory and I will think of the Pan American Games next.”
Tsuboi and Kumahara celebrate their victories at the 2015 ITTF-Latin America Cup
In the women’s finals matchup, KUMAHARA successfully defended her crown to score the third continental cup title in her career. She accounted for her compatriot GUI Lin 4-0 (12-10, 12-10, 11-8, 11-2) to seal her victory.
The Sao Paulo native expressed “Although it was a 4-0 match, it was hard. I began very well in all four games but she fought back, making it difficult for me.”
“There is always high level table tennis at play at the Latin American Cups and matches are hard from the group phase. I was happy for my performance here and gained confidence for the Pan American Games. This year I haven’t been good, not very focused. I wasn’t expecting to be champion but this achievement makes me keep training harder. The Pan American Games are going to be difficult.”
The Liebherr 2015 Men’s World Cup will be held in Halmstad, Sweden on 16-18 October and the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Sendai, Japan on 30 October – 1 November.
The ITTF World Cups are amongst the most prestigious event in the world, with only the top 18 players qualifying for the event through the continental cups, plus the world champion and one wildcard.
Qualifications for the 2015 ITTF Men’s & Women’s World Cups:
Current World Champion: MA Long (CHN), DING Ning (CHN)
NN Table Tennis Club 2015 ITTF-Europe Top 16 Cup: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER), Marcos FREITAS (POR),
World Cup, (1930-2010) A Statistical Summary”- Mr. Ejikeme Ikwunze
Former President of FIFA, the World Football Governing body, Joao Havelange, has congratulated former Abia State Director of Sports, Mr. Ejikeme Ikwunze popularly called Mr. Football for publishing a book “World Cup, (1930-2010) A Statistical Summary”.
In a congratulatory letter sent to Mr Football, Havelange, who held sway as the FIFA helmsman between 1974 and 1998, described the book as incisive ad interesting pointing out that the author did a good job.
The 99-year-old Brazilian Football administrator commended the former Abia State Director of Sports for having the courage to embark on the project despite obvious difficulties and for chronicling his own contributions towards the growth of world football in the book insisting that those kind words will remain with him forever.
“I thank you for your beautiful words when I was at the Presidency of FIFA and be sure that I will keep them forever. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much”, the immediate past FIFA President told Mr. Football who is now the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports.
In his reaction, the Umuawa-Alaocha-born Ejikeme Ikwunze said he was surprised at Joao Havelange’s response to his book, pointing out that it would motivate him to more action.
A “flyover” as collapsed about three miles from Mineirao stadium, which has hosted several World Cup matches in recent weeks.
According to a statement released by The city government two people have been confirmed dead while 19 people are injured.
However NO confirmation as been made as to the nationality of the Victims.
Meanwhile the Mayor of Belo Horizonte as declared 3 days of Mourning for the victims of this unfortunate incident.
The Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte is due to host one of the Semi-final games of the Mundial games Tuesday next week.
Brazil’s Preparations for the World Cup has been dogged by one controversy or the other especially with several reports of construction workers dying in different stadiums across brazil in months leading up to the World Cup.
last year’s dress rehearsal for the FIFA World Cup the “FIFA Confederations Cup” was also met with heavy riots by Brazilians who felt that the Government had misplaced its priorities by spending so much on hosting the World Cup.
This Sad event would definitely put a dampener on a tournament that as been widely acclaimed as the “Best World Cup ever” by pundits and football fans
Full list of Nominees and Winners of the GLO CAF Awards 2013
National Team Of The Year 2013:
Burkina Faso
Ethiopia
WINNER- Nigeria
Club Of The Year 2013
CS Sfaxien
WINNER- Al Ahly
Orlando Pirates
Fair Play Award 2013
Nigeria Supporters
Coach Of The Year
Manu Garba (Nigeria)
Paul Pulit (Burkina Faso)
WINNER – Stephen Keshi (Nigeria)
Most Promising Talent Award 2013
Ebeneze Assifu (Ghana)
WINNER-Kelechi Ihenacho (Nigeria)
Saleh Goma (Egypt)
GLO CAF Legends Award
Bruno Metsu
Jose Mehdi Faria
Referee Of The Year 2013
Alioum Neant
WINNER – Haimoudi Djamel
Papa Bakary Gassam
Youth Team Of The Year 2013
Nigeria U-17
Glo Africa Player Of The Year (Home Based)
Sunday Mba
Winner a Mohammed Aboutrika
Ahmed Fathi
#GLOCAFAWARD2013 Africa Team 11: Enyeama Fathy Kevin Faria Mikel Toure Aboutreika Pitirova Emenike Aubameyamg Gyan (Coach: Stephen Keshi)
CAF Platinum Award : Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
Africa Player Of The Year : Yaya Toure
newfanzone 