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Greek Football Team Wins INSP Trophy at the Homeless World Cup

The Homeless World Cup is a unique, pioneering social movement which uses football to inspire homeless people to change their own lives. Homeless World Cup 2015 is taking place in amsterdam from september 12th to September 19th. For more information, visit www.homelessworldcup.org
Photo credit: Alex Walker

By Laura Smith, INSP reporter
There were euphoric and emotional scenes in Amsterdam today when Greece beat Switzerland to lift the INSP Trophy at the Homeless World Cup.
It was a poignant moment as three members of the team are vendors with the Greek street paper Shedia, which has close connections to the country’s street football programme.
Greece-huddle-before-their-final-match-at-the-Homeless-World-Cup.-Credit-Alex-Walker
Photo credit: Alex Walker

INSP is proud to sponsor the award that celebrates those competing in the bottom tier of the tournament, as the original idea for the Homeless World Cup came out of a discussion at an INSP summit in Cape Town, South Africa, 14 years ago.
The Greeks fought back after going two goals down in the opening minutes of the match to secure a 6-2 victory over the Swiss squad. It is only the second year Greece has entered the event.
“I still can’t believe it, it doesn’t seem real,” said captain Nikolaos Petropoulos, clutching the coveted trophy after the match.
“I’m so happy for myself and the whole team. This is a once-in-a-lifetime feeling.”
When asked about the most important thing he got out of the tournament, Nikolaos replied: “Love. Every country here is united.”
The Homeless World Cup is a unique, pioneering social movement which uses football to inspire homeless people to change their own lives. Homeless World Cup 2015 is taking place in amsterdam from september 12th to September 19th. For more information, visit www.homelessworldcup.org
Photo credit: Alex Walker

Manager Chris Alefantis is also the editor of the street paper Shedia. “I’m proud of the way that they have conducted themselves throughout this tournament and stuck to the principles this event,” he said.
“Us winning the INSP Trophy is a strong symbol because it’s all about love and solidarity and becoming better people, that’s the whole idea.”
Greece is one of just several countries to bring a mixed team to the Homeless World Cup. Stella Kantzilidou, who sells Shedia in her home city, Thessaloniki, started out for Team Greece in today’s final.
She says she is overwhelmed at their victory and was glad the sun was shining when her team won.
“I was so worried when I looked out the window this morning but everything just came together today,” she said with a smile. “I don’t think I will sleep tonight, I’m just so happy.”

(Courtesy of INSP: International Network of Street Papers)

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