In the height years since it was created in 2000, the Danone Nations Cup has become the world's top football tournament for children in the 10-12 age group, and has already made 15 million kids' dreams come true. The World Final is the culmination of a year of competition, over five continents. The winners of the national tournaments in the 40 participating countries come together in a prestigious stadium, filled with bigger and bigger crowds, to play their favourite sport under the proud gaze of some of the greatest stars of the international game, and in particular the event's sponsor: Zinedine Zidane.
Endorsed by FIFA and the FFF (the French Football Association), the World Final of the Danone Nations Cup is a true festival of sport, which brings together 600 children from different countries and cultures. The Danone Nations Cup is rightly called the World Cup of Juniors...
India was incorporated for the first time this year, courtesy Mohun Bagan AC, the National club of India, who qualified by winning the Indian leg and earned the pass to the world finals held at Paris. Amongst the 40 participant countries, consisting of much advanced countries like, England, Spain, Argentina, France, Bazil, Italy, Turkey, Poland, Mohun Bagan representing India managed a respectable 12th position in the tournament considering this being their first appearance in such a high level and when we consider India's Fifa ranking which is in the unimpressive 150s, the achievement by the Bagan boys can never be silenced.
Mohun Bagan, representing India, were to play for the 9/12 position against South Africa and Turkey. South Africa are the 2007 champions and Turkey were ranked as high as 3rd last year. It would not have been an easy task and there were no surprises.
India, represented by Mohun Bagan, finished 12th in the cup and why this is such a proud moment for India is because, Mohun Bagan made sure India finished way above some of the advanced countries of the world, like, Italy, USA, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal.
Even though India were ranked fourth in their Group C, along with Spain, Italy, Poland and Saudi Arab, India finished above all the teams in her group. Japan is the only Asian country to have finished above India, being 10th.
France, the host nations won the tournamnet.
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