This year's World Cup took place in the center of Copenhagen. A total of 360 matches were played. Forty-eight teams from around the world took part in the tournament. The costs of the Polish team's journey to the Danish capital were covered by the Polish Football Association.
In Saturday's final, Poland lost only to the Scotland national team, 3–9, thereby taking second place. This is Poland's fourth medal in the history of the Street Soccer World Cup—and its second silver medal. Poland also has two bronze medals to its name. “Our boys performed very well; the matches were very interesting and exciting, but we lacked a little luck in the final,” said Piotr Miarka, a Bolesławiec resident and one of the Polish team's supporters. Liberia took third place in Copenhagen, defeating Denmark 11–5.
In previous years, the tournament was held under the name “Homeless World Cup”; however, following a suggestion from FIFA and UEFA, the organizers changed the name. In the final match of last year's World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, Russia defeated Kazakhstan 1–0. Our national team beat Mexico 3–1, thereby winning the bronze medal.
The first Homeless World Cup was held in Austria in 2003. The Polish team finished twelfth at the time. In the following years, Poland was always on the podium. In 2004, in Gothenburg, they won third place, while in 2005, in Edinburgh, they finished second after losing 2–3 to Italy.
(information and photos by Daniel Biernat/GA)