72nd Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup: Teams from three continents in Zurich The Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup from 12-13 May 2010 will be staged at the Buchlern sports facility in the Zurich district of Altstetten for the fourth time. As is the tradition, the tournament takes place on the Wednesday before Ascension Day and on the Thursday itself. As last year, ten teams will compete for the trophy, four from Switzerland and six from overseas. This year’s starting field is drawn from three continents and features the following teams: Swiss clubs Grasshoppers Zurich, FC Zurich, FC Basel and Blue Stars, and Boca Juniors, Kaizer Chiefs, Club America, Borussia Dortmund, Celtic and Mallorca, drawn from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Germany, Scotland and Spain respectively.
Temporary stands for the event will provide a capacity of up to 5,000. The Zurich municipal sports agency will provide 100 per cent support as usual. Facilities include covered seating, extensive standing terraces, a marquee with bar and a VIP tent, ensuring the customary fun-filled and family-oriented atmosphere for the event.
For only the second time in the long history of the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup, this year’s line-up includes a team from Mexico, while Kaizer Chiefs are the first-ever visitors from South Africa. The forthcoming FIFA World Cup™ in the very same country was a good enough reason for issuing the requisite invitation.
The home teams are likely to be strong contenders again: in last season’s all-Swiss final, Basel beat Grasshoppers 1-0, with FC Zurich claiming third place ahead of Flamengo from Brazil. An exciting tournament is once again in store for 2010.
"One fundamental concept, namely using our sport to bring people together and seeing the stars of the future at first hand, is the foundation not only of the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup, but also of FIFA as a global institution. In this context, I’m delighted that this very special tournament sends out an unmistakeable signal," commented FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.
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