- Title: ARGENTINA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Argentina triumphs in Gay Football World Cup
- Date: 1st October 2007
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (SEPTEMBER 29, 2007) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF STADIUM WHERE GAY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP WAS PLAYED FLAG OF HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY VARIOUS OF TEAMS FROM DIVISION 2 (THE LONDON TITANS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND WEST HOLLYWOOD OF THE U.S. GOING ONTO THE FIELD VARIOUS OF THE GAME VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE SINGING VARIOUS OF PENALTIES VARIOUS OF WEST HOLLYWOOD CELEBRATING WIN
- Embargoed: 16th October 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Argentina
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA85BWD12HL1GAJPKQ1LZPTLS1O
- Story Text: Argentina's Dogos triumphed over Stonewall of Great Britain to take home the Division 1 Gay Soccer World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday (September 29).
Thousands of fans turned out to watch the finals in Divisions 1 and
The Division 2 game was the first of the day, with the USA's West Hollywood facing off against Great Britain's Titans of London. West Hollywood grabbed the victory 5-4.
But the highlight of the day was the Division 1 final.
It was a header from Argentina's Michael that won the game for Dogos, beating out Stonewall, the defending world champions and hot favourites this year.
"I can't explain the emotion that we are feeling, it's inexplicable. It can only be felt, but it is the biggest thing that can happen to a player," said team captain, Jose Barrios.
Teammate Elvio Mendez said it was gratifying to see their hard work pay off.
"An immense happiness because we fought so hard to be here, training everyday in the rain, throughout all the winter, it was a great personal effort for each one of the boys and well, in the end, we were able to achieve what we wanted," he said.
More than just a competition, the Gay Soccer World Cup is about awareness of sexual discrimination and also offers a chance for the competitors to socialise.
Fourteen nations were represented in 28 teams this year, one of the biggest showings in the competition's ten-year history.
Countries can send more than one team each and the biggest contingents are from the United States and Great Britain.
The game draw was divided into two skill divisons.
There is usually a concurrent women's competition as well but it had to be cancelled due to a poor response.
Buenos Aires is the first Latin American country to host a Gay Soccer World Cup, which in previous years has been celebrated in London, New York and Sydney. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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