After three weeks of the kick off of the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, the tournament will be rounded up today as France and Uruguay play the final match at the Ali Sami Yan Arena in Istanbul to decide who among the two countries will be crowned as the new world champions.
As a kicker, favourites have tumbled throughout the tournament, with the likes of African champions Egypt exiting at the group stage, while their CONCACAF and South American counterparts Mexico and Colombia followed in the Round of 16.
Portugal were eliminated by Egypt 2009 winners and eventual semi-finalists Ghana, while European champions Spain were stunned by La Celeste en route to the final. Both the Uruguayans and the French have impressed and stuttered during their three weeks in Turkey, as soccer fans across the world await to see a re- enactment of the rivalry between European and South American football.
In the eighteen tournaments so far held, only eight nations have won the title. Argentina is the most successful team with six titles, followed by Brazil with five titles. Portugal won two titles, while Ghana, Germany, Spain, and formerly existing nations of Soviet Union and Yugoslavia have won the title once each.
France booked their place in today's final after defeating hard fighting Black Satellites of Ghana 2-1 in their first semifinal match, while Uruguay came within three minutes of defeat in normal time to see off surprise team of the tournament, Iraq, whom they beat 7-6 on penalties after their game ended 1-1 at extra time. In this year's tournament, France have always figured among the tournament favorites, but the same cannot be said of the Uruguayans, who nevertheless boast more experience at this stage of the competition.
They have reached the final in 1997, when they needed extra time to get past Ghana before losing to fellow South American country, Argentina, 1-2 in the final. In contrast, today's encounter will be a whole new experience for Les Bleuets who are playing in the final of the tournament for the first time, while on the part of Uruguay, the Juan Verzeri's Celeste squad will be counting on the experience of five of their players that featured in the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico 2011.
The rampaging French team will be lead by their inspirational midfielder, Florian Thauvin, who scored a brace against Ghana in their semi- final clash.
And as is expected, today's encounter will be very explosive as both teams will be aiming to lift the trophy for the first time. Frankly, France coach, Pierre Mankowski, will be missing the services of striker, Samuel Umtiti, who bagged a red card, in their game against Ghana, as they go up against a Uruguayan side that is not only mobile but plays good defensive game.
However, the South Americans should be weary of a French side whose attacking prowess has received commendation throughout the duration of the competition.
Meanwhile Coach of Les Bleuets, Mankowski says his team will not take chances in today's final, even as he noted that any of the two teams is capable of lifting the trophy. "Uruguay is a very strong team and their last game against Iraq has shown that the team has character and determination, and as such we are not going to allow any distraction affect us in the final.
"My players are quite aware of the importance of lifting the trophy for the first time and as such we are going to go into today's final match with all seriousness it deserves, to ensure we win the trophy," he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Uruguay coach, Juan Verzeri, described their semi-final match against Iraq as the most difficult, but noted that they expect a more difficult game against France today and assured that his players will not be intimidated by the European's record. He stated that having lost in the final in 1997 they will definitely try and compensate their fellow countrymen with a win in Turkey.
"Reaching the final of the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Turkey after our difficult game against Iraq has rekindled our hope that we are capable of lifting the trophy after missing out in 1997 and we are focused on doing that. "My players are aware that they are going to face one of the best teams in the tournament, but we are not scared of their records because we have capable players that can withstand them," he said.
National Mirror