´03 GRAZ { 54 images } Created 7 May 2010
18 months after the initial idea for the Homeless World Cup, the first international football tournament for homeless and excluded people kicked off in Austria in 2003.
144 homeless players from 18 countries.
The first ever Homeless World Cup match was another outing for one of football's most intense rivalries: the Netherlands versus Germany. The anticipation for the clash had been building since the draw was made but, in the end, the Dutch proved too strong, running up 14 goals without reply.
At the closing ceremony every player received a medal and each team received a trophy. The biggest cheer was saved for Austria as they lifted the brand new Homeless World Cup Trophy.
The teams joined together to celebrate their achievements as the fans chanted "We Are the Champions" and said goodbye to the players they had adopted as their new sporting heroes.
The Homeless World Cup story had begun.
144 homeless players from 18 countries.
The first ever Homeless World Cup match was another outing for one of football's most intense rivalries: the Netherlands versus Germany. The anticipation for the clash had been building since the draw was made but, in the end, the Dutch proved too strong, running up 14 goals without reply.
At the closing ceremony every player received a medal and each team received a trophy. The biggest cheer was saved for Austria as they lifted the brand new Homeless World Cup Trophy.
The teams joined together to celebrate their achievements as the fans chanted "We Are the Champions" and said goodbye to the players they had adopted as their new sporting heroes.
The Homeless World Cup story had begun.
