Trophies won in unofficial Embassy World Cup 2017

Unofficial Embassy World Cup 2017 has come to an end at the Eduard Streltsov Sports Complex in Moscow. The event was organized by the Russian Foreign Ministry, GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia, and Football Market Group.

Twelve teams competed in the tournament. As a result of group matches played on the first day of the Cup (September 23), Bolivia, Spain, China, Colombia, Tajikistan, and the teams of Arab countries, the Russian Foreign Ministry, and the Mir television channel were named the finalists.

The winners were declared on September 24. The Spanish Embassy’s team defeated the team of the Mir television channel, and won bronze.

The post-game penalty shots determined the champion, after the match between Tajikistan and Colombia ended in a draw, 2-2. Tajik diplomats scored best in the penalty shoot-out (2-1). In addition, prizes were won by the best players from the Embassy teams of Spain, China, Colombia, and Tajikistan.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Russian Football Premier League President Sergei Pryadkin, deputy head of the Russian Presidential Administration’s directorate Alexei Mikheyev, Tajik Ambassador Imomuddin Sattorov, and Football Market Group President Yury Belous greeted the winners of the first unofficial Embassy World Cup.

In addition to the traditional football trophies, the winners received special prizes from GlavUpDK, i.e. service certificates of its affiliates. Director of the GlavUpDK Public Relations Directorate Svetlana Chumikova presented the certificates to the team captains. For instance, Tajik footballers will spend a weekend at the Zavidovo Recreation Complex, members of the Bolivian team will celebrate winning silver at the Golf restaurant of the Moscow Country Club, while the Spanish team will receive exercise therapy recommendations and undergo computer-based body analysis at Medincenter.

Unofficial Embassy World Cup Russia 2017 proved to be a remarkable sports event for both diplomats who love football, their families, and all football fans. Members of the diplomatic corps expressed the wish to participate in a similar event next year.

The tournament ended with a gala match of the best Cup players. The event went without incident, injury, or serious violation. Doctors of Medincenter, a GlavUpDK affiliate, were on standby to help the players if necessary.