Danone Nations Cup 2009: Eastern Team Wins National Final

Eastern Team wins National final and gets a chance to represent Canada at the Danone Nations Cup in Brazil

Toronto, June 20 2009 – Team Canada East beat the Western team with a score of 2:1 at the national finals in Toronto with the winning goal scored in overtime with a shootout. The 12 players will now prepare to compete against the world’s best young soccer players representing 40 countries in the international finals of the 10th edition of the Danone Nations Cup happening October 9- 11 in Sao Paulo, Brazil .

In an effort to promote sportsmanship and camaraderie a new tradition has been started whereby two players from the losing Canadian team will get to join the Eastern team when they compete for the cup at the international finals in Brazil. The recipients of the Most Valuable Player and Best sportsmanship awards will be announced two weeks after the National Finals in Toronto.

“We are thrilled to support the 10th edition of this extraordinary event that encourages health and fitness among Canadian youth,” says Louis Frenette, President and CEO of Danone Canada. “This is an unforgettable experience that allows these young athletes an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and represent their country on the international stage and Danone is proud to be part of that.”

Team Canada was handpicked from among 6,000 young people who took part in 10 Danone Nations Cup soccer camps and 4 provincial selection camps across the country. The Danone Nations Cup has become the most prominent event in international youth soccer, involving over 3 million youth and breaking down cultural and socio economic barriers allowing kids to share in their common love of the game.

The winning Eastern team is composed of:

Anasse Boussarhane (Brossard)
Jimmy-Shammar Sanon (Laval)

Marie Levasseur (Stoneham)
Joseph Lipari (Lasalle)

Étienne Gillard (Québec)
Sebastian Amaya (Mississauga)

Karyna Fiset (Ste-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier)
Malik Johnson (Brampton)

David Choinière (St-Alexandre)
Noah Mehta (Mississauga)

Matthew Morina (Laval)
Kristopher Twardek (Ottawa)

International Finals Danone Nations Cup – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Before departing for Brazil, the team will train together at an intensive three day training camp in Montreal at St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, under the supervision of head coach, Dean Howie.

Taking place from October 9 to 11 The Danone Nations Cup is a thrilling conclusion to an immense international event counting close to 3 million young soccer players aged 11- 12, and is the last component of the large-scale philanthropic activity. The team will leave Montreal on October 5 or 6 to travel to Brazil.