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MUPC2010 Finalists

Over 9000 teams from 43 countries, 20 Finalists.....found out more about our 20 finalists for MUPC2010

FC Barcelona was the first team to lift the trophy for a second time, and although Coach Victor Sánchez rates his young team highly, he admits, "For us the most important thing is to make sure the team enjoy this experience. If we achieve that we'll show the best of FC Barcelona and provide some entertaining football".

Brazil's 2000 Premier Cup World Champions Internaçional may be looking to secure a 2^nd World Finals trophy for their cabinet but Coach does not underestimate the challenges ahead, "With the globalisation of football the styles are very similar - but each country has strengths and weaknesses. It is our role to find out how to exploit these."

FC Porto won the inaugural edition back in 1994 before the tournament went global in 1997 and have since only reached 2^nd place, but are on a winning streak after beating FC Barcelona in this year's tournament in Bilbao whilst six times World Finalists Paris Saint-Germain are determined to improve on their best finish to date, second place in 2005.

South Africa's Orlando Pirates FC have vast experience at MUPC and, in this world championship year, are particularly determined to improve on previous results. With that in mind Coach Augusto Palacios took the team on a month-long training camp in preparation for the tournament. "We have developed specialised training sessions with a different technical focus for each player. Although we hope to improve on our previous performances, our main concern in Manchester will be to reduce the pressure on our young players to succeed."

2009 Runners-up SV Werder Bremen battled their way through three penalty shoot-outs in Germany's MUPC Finals in Berlin to qualify for Manchester. In the light of last year's defeat by Sao Paulo, Coach Marco Grote cites South American teams as the most dangerous but admits: "Our main goal is to represent Werder Bremen with dignity."

Host team Manchester United's best showing to date was when they reached the final at Old Trafford back in 2004, only to lose out to local rivals Manchester City. This year's UK qualifiers are Newcastle United, at the final stages for the first time this year, alongside Italian qualifiers Torino FC who secured their place after beating FC Juventus in a thrilling 4:2 final encounter. Coach Roberto Fogli is very pleased with his team's performance so far and hopes that the summer break does not disrupt their rhythm. "We will need to get back to form quickly because to beat teams of such a high calibre we will need to play our very best football!"

Colo Colo will represent Chile for the fourth time in Manchester and aim for a top ten finish whilst Steve Lucey, Coach to third time USA qualifiers Alta Loma Arsenal SC says his team will "play to win" and hopes to "finish higher than any previous team from the US!"

Turkish football Academy Bucaspor were surprise winners of the European Qualification tournament in Denmark but Coach Murat Dizdar has great confidence in his young team: "Our players are talented and creative and we hope they will give of their best. Our success will be measured by the quality of our football, played in the spirit of fair play."

Other teams qualifying for Manchester for the first time this year include Pachuca FC from Mexico, Japan's Kyoto Sanga FC, Sutherland Sharks FC from Australia, India's Shillong Lajong FC and Malaysian team MSS Kedah. Barkis Ismail is very proud to be the first coach from Malaysia to win a place at the World Finals through the qualifying stages and hopes his team can learn from the experience. "We are overjoyed of course but although our players are individually very skilful, they need further strength training. We hope that the experience of playing for the first time in Europe will help them to develop."

China's Changchun Yatai FC narrowly won their place in Manchester with skilful displays throughout their national tournament; whilst three times Korean MUPC Champions Ulsan Hyundai Middle School cruised into this year's World Finals with a stunning 4:1 final match, leading Coach DoKyun Kim to target a semi final place this year. However, he voiced a common concern amongst teams travelling long distances to reach Manchester: "Our biggest challenge will be helping the team recover from the time difference - so our strategy will be to concentrate on our defensive play and break swiftly to attack!"

Another team with a long journey to Manchester is the Right to Dream Academy from Ghana. Academy Manager Andy Farrant hopes the team can improve on previous 5^th & 3^rd place finishes, but admits: "As always in tournament conditions, the draw will be crucial. We just hope our boys perform at their best, it's impossible to ask for any more than that. If their best can take us all the way to the final, then we will be delighted of course, but if not, we can still be satisfied that we gave it our all, and that the boys could do no more in their pursuit of victory."

Twenty teams will travel to Manchester; 320 young hopefuls from different backgrounds and different cultures brought together by just one dream - to become the Manchester United Premier Cup Champions of the world!