South Africa win

This 4th edition of the Danone Nations Cup ended beautifully today on the grass pitch of the Parc des Princes in Paris. After 2 days of qualifying heats, which took place at the Plessis Robinson"s stadium, the 32 teams selected for this big final of the International Kids Cup played the final matches of the competition today, on Sunday, September 7.

2,5 millions young athletes participated this year to all the national selections of the Danone Nations Cup. The winners of each national competition bravely competed in front of an attendance of 25 000 people at the Parc des Princes. The kids were pleasantly surprised to discover that two famous supporters attended the event : the international French players Zinedine Zidane and Bixente Lizarazu, who came to support the young soccer players as well as Raï, the committed Brazil&lsquos godfather, Mr. Jean-François Lamour, French Minister of Sports, Mr. Jean Verbecke, Vice-President of the F.F.F., and of course, Franck Riboud, President of Danone.

As soon as they arrived in Paris, the South-African players seduced the public with their infectious enthusiasm and, most of all, their amazing athletic qualities.

The South African team immediately stood out as the favourite, perfectly dominating their adversaries and the pressure of such a competition.

After their first goal during the final, the bafana-bafana literally rushed towards Zizou, who was watching the game on the edge of the pitch and nearly fell down laughing.

South Africa scored two goals and succeeded Argentina among the winners' list of the Danone Nations Cup, the most beautiful International Kids Cup.

1 South Africa

2 Portugal

3 France

4 Austria

5 Turkey

6 Algeria

7 England

8 Brazil

9 Russia

10 Mexico

Best Scorers: South Africa

Best Defenders: South Africa

Fair Play: Indonesia

Best striker: (11 goals) Russia - Georgy TIMOSHENKO

Best player: South Africa - Monama MATSEMALA

Best goalkeeper: Turkey - Ozkan KARABULUT