Chinese Take Away French Footballing Lesson
French Under 20 team secure ASPIRE sponsored Tournament Victory
French Under 20 International striker Kevin Gameiro scored a cup final hatrick in a momentous 3 – 1 win for the French team over China at the annual Toulon Festival of Sport on Saturday.
Two first half solo goals and a third from distance in the second half were enough for the Strasbourg striker to be awarded the ASPIRE sponsored Most Valuable Player Award.
The two week tournament on the south coast of France, endorsed by world governing body FIFA, saw the French team, win the title for a record fourth consecutive time, against below par Chinese opposition.
The competition, now in its 35th year, saw eight international teams competing with teams from Africa and Asia joining European opposition. The Cote d’Ivoire beat Portugal to take third place over all in the competition, which also saw teams from Ghana, Germany, Holland and Japan compete.
The Toulon tournament is a regular and respected tournament on the international calendar and once more offered opportunities to see some of tomorrow’s footballing stars today.
In the past, footballing greats including Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Kaka have honed their skills at the tournament which, thanks to television coverage is seen around the world.
Awarding the ASPIRE Most Valuable Player Award was Academy Director General Dr Thomas Flock who said: “Gameiro showed great skill and composure to secure his three goals in the final. He approached the game in a competitive way, with spirit, skill and sportsmanship, virtues that ASPIRE promotes to its students and Gameiro set a fine example.
“This is the third year that ASPIRE has sponsored the award for most valuable player and we are pleased with the ongoing success of the tournament, both in organisation and the standard of football on display and look forward to a long and successful association with Toulon.”
