Game Changers en_US

Homeless World Cup- The Championship

NikeGamechangers — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:44:45 GMT

Though the teams may be gone and the army barrack tents where they stayed taken down, the energy remains. Relive the grit and glory of the final match- Ukraine v Portugal. The Ukraine pulled it out in a closely-contested match, where one teams goal always seemed to meet with a counter goal from the other squad. But words can't do it justice. Check out the video to see the joy of victory and the agony of defeat unfold for yourself. And to get one last jolt of energy from lives being changed.

Homeless World Cup- Behind the Scenes

NikeGamechangers — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:41:40 GMT

The Homeless World Cup may be over (Ukraine took the cup over Portugal in the finals), but the fun continues. Take a look as Buddy goes behind the scenes with Malawi team to check out their digs during the tournament.

Homeless World Cup- Meet the Players

NikeGamechangers — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:24:52 GMT

Fierce footballers on the pitch, catch the video and check out the player profiles at www.homelessworldcup.org to get a sense of what the players of the 2009 Homeless World Cup are like off the pitch.

Homeless World Cup- A Taste of the Glory

NikeGamechangers — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:59:41 GMT

Fueled by the energy on the pitch, Buddy tries to get in on the action.

In other Homeless World Cup action- Nigeria, Brazil, Denmark, Kyrgyzstan and Argentina sit atop their respective groups while the other three are locked in ties. For the most up-to-date results, go to www.homelessworldcup.org

Homeless World Cup- On the Pitch

NikeGamechangers — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:44:29 GMT

Excitement runs high as players hit the court for the first time in the 4v4, street soccer setup. Check out the fast-paced, high-energy action.

And of course, follow the latest results at www.homelessworldcup.org

Homeless World Cup- The Parade

NikeGamechangers — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:11:31 GMT

Teams showed their national pride on the streets of Milan one last time before getting down to business on the pitch.

Homeless World Cup- The Draw

NikeGamechangers — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:56:10 GMT

The tournament gets under way with all of the 48 teams gathering to find out which bracket their in and scope out the competition.

Homeless World Cup- The Adventure Begins

NikeGamechangers — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:45:32 GMT

The 7th Annual Homeless World Cup is underway in Milan. Throughout the week 500 players from 48 nations will battle it out street soccer styles (22 meter x 16 meter court, 4 players a side, 7 minute halves) to be crowned 2009 Homeless World Cup Champions.

Started in 2003 the Homeless World Cup unites teams of people who are homeless and excluded to represent their country in an annual weeklong tournament. As a result of their participation, 73% of players change their lives for the better, coming off of drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, educations, homes, training, reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches for pro or semi-pro soccer teams. Those are big time results- bigger than any win or loss on the pitch.

This year we have an inside look on the tournament happenings in the streets of Milan thanks to our friend, Buddy. Check out the first installment, as Buddy finds his way through Milan to the tournament site.

And of course keep up on the latest Homeless World Cup results at www.homelessworldcup.org

48 Nations to compete in 2009 Homeless World Cup

NikeGamechangers — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:58:58 GMT

In September 500 players from 48 nations will converge on Milan to lace up their cleats for a weeklong battle to determine the champion of the 7th Homeless World Cup

The 48 nations will represent all five continents of the globe, from Argentina to Brazil, England to Germany, Australia to Cambodia, Hong Kong to India, Ghana to Malawi. Italy, two times Homeless World Cup champions will be aiming to regain their championship glory in front of their home crowd.

A street soccer stadium built at the Arena Civic, Sempione Park, the historical venue of the very first Italian National game against France, will welcome an estimated 100,000 strong crowd during the tournament week, and the competition will be no less intense than that first game between Italy and France.

There are one billion homeless people in the world, including 50,000 homeless people in Italy. For the players, the Homeless World Cup is about more than a chance to compete against the best or the chance to be called champion. Over 70% experience a significant life change; coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, education, training, repairing relationships, becoming coaches or players with semi-pro teams and social entrepreneurs. Since 2003 the Homeless World Cup has engaged over 100,000 players and has triggered football programmes in over 70 nations.

The Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup is dedicated to the memory of Candido Cannavò, renowned journalist at Gazetta dello Sport.

Right now, 9 teams need support to make it to the HWC. You can help make it happen here. Or show your support by joining the HWC Facebook group.

Get the inside scoop on Milan 2009 here.
And if you can't wait until September for your street soccer fix, watch highlights from last year's HWC in Australia.

Afghanistan Crowned Champions

NikeGamechangers — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:42:13 GMT

A Hollywood director couldn't have scripted a more dramatic final match for the Homeless World Cup if he'd tried. Throughout the 14 minutes, Russia and Afghanistan traded goals with the Afghan goalkeeper making a fierce stand at the end to secure the victory for Afghanistan, 5-4.

With the skill and poise the Afghan team showed throughout the tournament, it was hard to believe that these players came from a country ravaged by war, where true soccer fields and sports programs are severely limited. But with the cheers from the crowd and the photographers shooting away, it was very easy to believe that the Afghans were champions.

The Homeless World Cup may be over for this year, but the soccer will continue as each team returns home determined to make 2009 their year.

What can you do with all the energy you've built up watching the coverage?
• Join the Facebook Group
• Donate
• Stay Up to Date on YouTube

Homeless World Cup: Trophy Stage

NikeGamechangers — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:46:31 GMT

Everyone’s in the hunt now for one of the six Cups that are up for grabs. See who’s in it for what at www.homelessworldcup.org and watch the video to hear what makes the Homeless World Cup mean so much to so many.

What Fuels Their Fire

NikeGamechangers — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:20:39 GMT

Today, hear why these Homeless World Cup players lace up their cleats every day and what they’ve overcome to make it to Australia and represent their countries.

In on the pitch news, the top teams began to sprint away from the pack on Day 4. Afghanistan, Brazil and Nigeria are 3 of the standouts leading their groups in the Secondary Stage. Check out www.homelessworldcup.org for all team standings and the latest news and views on who will take it all.

Meet a Street Socceroo

NikeGamechangers — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:45:54 GMT

Meet the captain of the Australian Street Socceroos (aka soccer team). If you don't know him, you should. And if you have the good fortune to meet him in person, be sure to get his autograph.

The Street Socceroos are still in the hunt for the Cup as they move on to the secondary stage.

Homeless World Cup Day 1

NikeGamechangers — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:17:39 GMT

Check out the action of the opening day matches at the Homeless World Cup in Melbourne.

Homeless World Cup Kicks Off Down Under

NikeGamechangers — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:01:45 GMT

The fields in Melbourne, Australia aren't this quiet any longer. Today (Monday, Australia time) 500 players from 56 nations started match play in the Homeless World Cup. Over the next week they'll play more than 400 games of street soccer: maximum of 4 players per side, two halves of 7 minutes, court size 22x16 meters

The tourney started with a parade and opening ceremony featuring indigigenous dancers, the Choir of Hard Knocks, comments from Australia's Victorian Premier John Brumby... An original student production, 'The Football Ballet' choreographed to The Nutcracker Suite was certainly a fan favorite.

Over the past few days, some Autralian Socceroos (members of the Australian soccer team, no relation to the snack-classic Dunkaroos) took a moment to voice their support of the tournament. Check them out on YouTube.

Stay tuned for more news from the HWC

YouTube