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Is the football season over where Chelsea lifted the Premiership trophy and the FA Cup is being contested between Aston Villa and Arsenal? One big NO. In June there are 4 major footballing events to keep you going until August. We have the Champions League Cup final between Juventus and Barcelona, Ladies World Cup, FIFA Under 20s World Cup, UEFA Under 21s European Championships and the Coppa America. June will be jam packed of action.
Juventus vs Barcelona shall be played in Berlin, Germany at the Olympiastadion on June 6th 2015. Between them they have won 6 finals (Juventus x2 and Barcelona x4) and lost 8 finals (Juventus x5 and Barcelona x3). Looks as though Juventus haven't had the best of times in the finals with their last victory being way back in 1996. Barcelona on the other hand have won 3 finals in the past 9 years, where the last time they were victorious was 2011. This has all the ingredients for an interesting and exciting final where both clubs have won their respected leagues hands down, Juventus have won the Coppa Italia where Barcelona are in the Coppa Del Rey Final. Should Barcelona win the Coppa Del Rey then whoever wins the final shall complete the treble.
Being held this year in Canada from 6th June to 5th July, shall see 24 teams split into 6 groups. Who shall win the 7th Womens FIFA World Cup final and hold the trophy a loft? Who shall win the golden boot award by becoming the top goal scorer in the competition? Here is a quick run down of the countries involved.
Group A
Canada - 6th time appearing at the event. 4th in 2003
China - 6th time appearing at the event. Runners-Up 1999
New Zealand - 4th time appearing at the event, never getting out of group stages.
Netherlands - This shall be their 1st time at the event.
Group B
Germany - Appeared in all world cups winning in 2003 and 2007.
Ivory Coast - This shall be their 1st time at the event
Norway - Appeared in all world cups winning in 1995
Thailand - This shall be their 1st time at the event
Group C
Japan - Have appeared in all world cup finals and are defending champions, the 2011 trophy winners.
Switzerland - This shall be their 1st time at the event
Cameroon - This shall be their 1st time at the event
Ecuador - This shall be their 1st time at the event
Group D
USA - Appeared in all world cups, winning the innaugral world cup in 1991 then again in 1999
Australia - 6th time appearing in the event. Quarter finals 2007 & 2011
Sweden - Appeared in all world cups. Runners Up in 2003
Nigeria - Appeared in all world cups. Quarter Finals 1999
Group E
Brazil - Appeared in all event. Runners Up 2007
South Korea - 2nd time at the event.Not made it out of group stage
Spain - 1st time at the event
Costa Rica - 1st time at the event
Group F
France - 3rd time at the event, 4th in 2003
England - 4th time at the event, each time reaching the quarter finals
Colombia - 2nd time at the event, failing to get passed the group stage previously
Mexico - 3rd time at the event, never getting out of the group stage.
Taking the same format as the senior world cup, there shall be 24 teams involved in the event. however unlike the senior event, the under 20s event is held every 2 years. Only 2 teams have really stood out in the youth event, they are Argentina (who won in 1979, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2007) and Brazil (who won in 1983, 1985, 1993, 2003 and 2011). Portugal are the only other team winning the trophy in 1989 and 1991. Other countries to have won the world cup are Ghana (2009), Spain (1999), France (2013), West Germany (1981), Yugoslavia (1987) and Soviet Union (1977).
4.UEFA Under 21 European Championships
A tournament that takes place every 2 years where players need to be 21 years when qualifications for the competition begins. This is why countries can play players who are older than 21 years old by the time the competition starts. Many stars have emerged from this tournament and have played key roles on top leagues around Europe as well as their respective senior teams. Spain are the current champions and are looking to repeat Italy's run of 3 consecutive wins. Italy have won the competition 5 times and Spain have won 4 times. Netherlands and England have both won a couple of times as well.
5. Copa America
The Copa America is the South American version of the European Cup. Dominated mainly by 3 teams but surprised to see that Uruguay are the most successful country to win the trophy with 15 wins, followed by Argentina on 14 and Brazil further behind with 8 wins.