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UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup
Organising bodyUEFA & CAF
Founded1997
Abolished2007
RegionEurope
Africa
Last championsEuropean Selection U-18
Most successful team(s)Spain Spain (3 titles)

The UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup was a football tournament that featured national teams from Europe and Africa among players under 18, and was part of the co-operation programme between UEFA and the CAF.

Meridian Project

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The UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup was part of the Meridian Project, a co-operation agreement concluded by the African and European football confederations in Lisbon on 30 January 1997 to promote the exchange of cultures and to offer young footballers a unique learning experience within the framework of a footballing festival. It was held every two years.

Change of format

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The competition evolved from its inception in 1997, running as an eight-team tournament until the 2005 event in Turkey after which the format was changed to a two-legged contest between two continental all-star U18 teams.[1] The last UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup also involved an educational component consisting of joint training sessions and meetings of coaches from Europe and Africa. The 2007 event took place in Barcelona, Spain, and was hosted on the premises of FC Barcelona.

Regulations

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The regulations for the UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup were initially drawn up by the UEFA Administration before being submitted to the UEFA Youth & Amateur Football Committee. They were then forwarded upon that committee's approval to the UEFA Executive Committee for ratification.

Tournaments

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Meridian Project

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Year Host Final Third place match
Winner Score Runner-up Third place Score Fourth place
1997
Details
 Portugal
Nigeria
3–2
Spain

Portugal
2–1 (a.e.t.)
Greece
1999
Details
 South Africa
Spain
2–1
Ghana

Portugal
0–0
3–1 (p)

Egypt
2001
Details
 Italy
Spain
Round robin
format

Italy

Portugal
Round robin
format

Czech Republic
2003
Details
 Egypt
Spain

Switzerland

France

England
2005
Details
 Turkey
France

Spain

Turkey

Portugal

New format

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Year Host Final
Winner Score Runner-up
2007
Details
 Spain European Selection U-18 6–1, 4–0 African Selection U-18

Teams reaching the top four

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Team Winners Runners-up Third place Fourth place
 Spain 3 (1999, 2001, 2003) 2 (1997, 2005) -
 France 1 (2005) - 1 (2003) -
 Nigeria 1 (1997) - - -
UEFA 1 (2007) - - -
 Ghana - 1 (1999) - -
 Italy - 1 (2001) - -
  Switzerland - 1 (2003) - -
CAF - 1 (2007) - -
 Portugal - - 3 (1997, 1999, 2001) 1 (2005)
 Turkey - - 1 (2005) -
 Greece - - - 1 (1997)
 Egypt - - - 1 (1999)
 Czech Republic - - - 1 (2001)
 England - - - 1 (2003)

References

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  1. ^ "Media accreditation for the 6th UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup in Barcelona". UEFA. 12 February 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2017.