Between the 10th and 31st of January, the African Cup of Nations was played out, Egypt winning over Ghana in the Final 1-0. Nigeria were able to finish third, beating Algeria.
On January 19th, Panajot Pano died, an Albanian footballer born on the 7th of March in 1939, he played keeper in the early part of his life with SK Tirana's youth academy before becoming the most famous striker of Partizani Tirana, biggest rivals of SK Tirana. He played just two years short of 20 years in which he played 24 games for the Albanian National Team. In 2004, on the 50th anniversary of UEFA, Pano accepted the UEFA Jubilee Award for Albania, the same award that Fritz Walter received for his performances for Germany. Alfredo di Stéfano, Henrik Larsson, Eusébio, George Best, Johan Cruyff, Dino Zoff, and George Best are other notable recipients of the award.
From June 11th to July 11th, The 2010 FIFA World Cup was held in South Africa, the first time the World Cup had been held in Africa. Spain were the winners of the tournament for the first time in the nation's history. The Netherlands lost to them in the Final, the young, and talented Germans won the 3rd place match against onetime super-powers Uruguay.
Similarly, from July 13th to August 1st, Germany hosted, and won, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. They defeated Nigeria in the final match while the Korea Republic (South Korea) finished 3rd over Colombia.
Meanwhile, on August 22nd, Stjepan Bobek, a Yugoslav footballer born on the 3rd of December 1923, died. He served as both a striker and as a manager. While he did play in Zagreb, his stint at Partizan Belgrade of Serbia is most well-known where he scored over 400 goals. Named the club's best player in history in 1995, he had won 2 league and 4 Cup titles in his time at the club. His international performances were also dazzling, he was Yugoslavia's all-time top-scorer scoring just shy of 40 goals in 63 matches with the team. He also helped to win 2 Olympic silver medals, playing in 2 World Cups as well. Bobek was also a successful manager, winning titles with both Partizan, 'his' team, and Panathinaikos of Greece.
In September, ranging from the 5th to the 25th, the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup was hosted by Trinidad and Tobago. The Korea Republic (South Korea) took top spot, defeating Japan in the final while the Spanish representatives were able to beat the DPR of Korea (North Korea) in their match. Interesting fact: there were over 120 goals scored in the tournament!
Some of the best women in the world include: Birgit Prinz of Germany, at 33, she has done just about everything there is to do in the span of her 16 years playing for the German national team. She is the most-capped and all-time leading goal-scorer in the German's womens game. She also converts normally for FCC Frankfurt, her club-side. Midfielder Camille Abily is another fantastic player, from France, who has had alot of success of late both for club and country. She was integral in bringing France back to the Womens World Cup for only the second time as well. Fatmire Bajramaj, another German, has a brillaint work ethic and has a wonderful career ahead as she is only 22! Bajramaj was also a vital part of the Turbine Potsdam team which claimed a Bundesliga and UEFA Women’s Champions League double. So Yun-Ji of the Korea Republic has alot of skill and speed which makes her one of the younger stars in the women's game today. It can be argued that she got the U-20 South Korean side to 3rd place in the tournament this year. The Brazilian Marta meanwhile remains a superb player, and only 24 too! Lots of skill and lots of goals are a fantastic combination as her FC Gold Pride performances illustrate. She also recieved the league's top scorer and best player awards for the second time in a row, which is in itself impressive. Caroline Seger of Sweden is another midfielder who had a great year, coming very close to winning a second successive league title in two different nations. Seger also steered Sweden to the 2011 Finals in Germany. Christine Sinclair of Canada partnered with Marta for spectacular results at FC Gold Pride. She is one of the best scorers, also helping the Canadian women to qualify for the 2011 Germany tournament. Kelly Smith of England is another prolific striker, regularly being nominated as a FIFA Women's world player of the year. A goal every other game was her record for both club and country, helping the Boston Breakers and qualifying England for the Championships in Germany next year. In a different vein, Hope Solo is possibly the best goalis in the women's game. She was named the Atlanta Beat's first Player of the Week. However, she was injured during the U.S.'s qualification progress but should be back in form for the World Cup next year. Finally, another American, Abby Wambach, serves as a brilliant striker who can really change a game. Having scored over 100 goals, she has also won several pieces of silverware, including the Gold Medal at the 2004 Olympics. She also serves her club, the Washington Freedom, well, scoring 13 goals and setting-up 8 others.
These are just a couple of the events that occured this year, please feel free to contact me if you think other events should be recognized. Thanks, Bennet.
In September, ranging from the 5th to the 25th, the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup was hosted by Trinidad and Tobago. The Korea Republic (South Korea) took top spot, defeating Japan in the final while the Spanish representatives were able to beat the DPR of Korea (North Korea) in their match. Interesting fact: there were over 120 goals scored in the tournament!
Some of the best women in the world include: Birgit Prinz of Germany, at 33, she has done just about everything there is to do in the span of her 16 years playing for the German national team. She is the most-capped and all-time leading goal-scorer in the German's womens game. She also converts normally for FCC Frankfurt, her club-side. Midfielder Camille Abily is another fantastic player, from France, who has had alot of success of late both for club and country. She was integral in bringing France back to the Womens World Cup for only the second time as well. Fatmire Bajramaj, another German, has a brillaint work ethic and has a wonderful career ahead as she is only 22! Bajramaj was also a vital part of the Turbine Potsdam team which claimed a Bundesliga and UEFA Women’s Champions League double. So Yun-Ji of the Korea Republic has alot of skill and speed which makes her one of the younger stars in the women's game today. It can be argued that she got the U-20 South Korean side to 3rd place in the tournament this year. The Brazilian Marta meanwhile remains a superb player, and only 24 too! Lots of skill and lots of goals are a fantastic combination as her FC Gold Pride performances illustrate. She also recieved the league's top scorer and best player awards for the second time in a row, which is in itself impressive. Caroline Seger of Sweden is another midfielder who had a great year, coming very close to winning a second successive league title in two different nations. Seger also steered Sweden to the 2011 Finals in Germany. Christine Sinclair of Canada partnered with Marta for spectacular results at FC Gold Pride. She is one of the best scorers, also helping the Canadian women to qualify for the 2011 Germany tournament. Kelly Smith of England is another prolific striker, regularly being nominated as a FIFA Women's world player of the year. A goal every other game was her record for both club and country, helping the Boston Breakers and qualifying England for the Championships in Germany next year. In a different vein, Hope Solo is possibly the best goalis in the women's game. She was named the Atlanta Beat's first Player of the Week. However, she was injured during the U.S.'s qualification progress but should be back in form for the World Cup next year. Finally, another American, Abby Wambach, serves as a brilliant striker who can really change a game. Having scored over 100 goals, she has also won several pieces of silverware, including the Gold Medal at the 2004 Olympics. She also serves her club, the Washington Freedom, well, scoring 13 goals and setting-up 8 others.
These are just a couple of the events that occured this year, please feel free to contact me if you think other events should be recognized. Thanks, Bennet.
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