PARIS, 30 June 2003 — Hosts France retained the Confederations Cup by beating Cameroon 1-0 with a golden goal extra-time winner from Thierry Henry in yesterday’s final, a match dedicated to the memory of Marc-Vivien Foe.
The players of both sides wore black armbands as a mark of respect for the 28-year-old midfielder, who died on Thursday after collapsing during the African champions’ semi-final victory over Colombia.
Yesterday’s match, preceded by an emotional tribute to Foe, was played in an atmosphere of mutual respect that led to few clear chances in the first 90 minutes. France, who won the Euro 2000 final with a golden goal, repeated the feat seven minutes into extra time when Arsenal striker Henry capped a superb individual tournament by touching in the decisive goal from close range.
Eto’o Fires Mallorca to
First King’s Cup Success
In Elche, Spain, Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o played a starring role in Real Mallorca’s first King’s Cup success as he grabbed two superbly struck goals that helped his side to a 3-0 win over Recreativo Huelva in Saturday’s final.
The win means that the islanders, who beat Real Madrid and last season’s winners Deportivo Coruna on their way to the final, now join Valencia and Barcelona to complete Spain’s trio of representatives in next season’s UEFA Cup.
Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani put the islanders ahead on 21 minutes when he smashed home a penalty after Eto’o was hauled down on the goal line by Recre defender Loren.
Man of the match Eto’o, who was to fly to Paris the next morning to play for Cameroon in the Confederations Cup final against hosts France, then struck twice late in the second half to wrap up the victory.
The young striker dedicated the victory to fellow Cameroon international Marc Vivien-Foe, who collapsed during Thursday’s Confederations Cup semifinal win over Colombia and died shortly afterward.
“It was a very special win because of what happened this week,” he told Spanish television.
Coach Gregorio Manzano said he was delighted with his team’s performance. “It has been an excellent season and putting a first King’s Cup in our trophy room was the perfect way to complete it.”
It was third time lucky for the islanders who finished as runners-up in their previous two Cup final appearances, losing out 1-0 to Atletico Madrid in 1991 and then in a penalty shootout to Barcelona in 1998.
For Recreativo it was a disappointing end to a season in which they were also relegated to division two after just one campaign in the top flight, but it did not stop their supporters from joining the Mallorca fans in their celebrations at the end.
Recre started the match in promising fashion but struggled to cope with the islanders’ pacy attack and Mallorca’s opener followed a slick passing move just after the 20-minute mark.
France to Play Brazil
to Mark FIFA Centenary
In Paris, France, co-founders of FIFA and creators of the World Cup, will play five-times world champions Brazil in a friendly next May to mark the centenary of the sport’s governing body.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter, speaking before Confederations Cup final, announced the May 20 Stade de France match as part of a series of events to mark the organization’s 100th birthday next year.
In South America, there will be a match to celebrate the first World Cup staged in Montevideo, capital of twice winners Uruguay, in 1930.
There will also be an issue of commemorative stamps and coins and a series of other celebratory events throughout 2004.
French Football Federation President Claude Simonet, speaking after Blatter, sang the praises of France in its leading role in world football. Pele, and former France midfielder Michel Platini, now on FIFA’s executive committee, talked about the greatness of the game and their memories as players, and the Brazilian broke down in tears when he remembered his late father. “My father used to teach me, saying you’re going to be good player but more important is to be good person, so it’s an honor to represent FIFA, the biggest family in the world,” Pele said.
