World Cup D-Day!

It’s only one day before the second Powerchair Football World Cup kicks off, and the 10 competing teams have arrived in Paris, ready for action.

Official training began yesterday morning at the Halle Carpentier, giving the teams the chance to make a few last minute adjustments. Other than the occasional update about the fitness levels of the players, very little information has leaked, and the teams are keeping their cards close to their chest.

After spending last week training in Bourges, the French team performed well in their practice yesterday, under the watchful eye of their sponsor, Emmanuel Petit. The pressure is really beginning to mount for the squad, something that Petit, a former FIFA World Cup finalist, will relate to.

Of all the teams training on Monday, the English squad stood out the most. Sharper than ever, they look set to go. The USA are also one to look out for. The winners of the last World Cup finished off their week in Vaucresson with a few friendlies against Canada, Australia and a team made up of local players from Vaucresson and Nanterre. The Australian side confirmed its status as World Cup outsider, losing 1-0 to Canada.

Today, one day before it all kicks off, the French team will be at the Gymnasium Louis Lumière, not far from the French Handisport Federation, while the Irish, Canadian, American, Japanese and Australian teams will all be at the Halle Carpentier.

With the initial rankings attracting a fair amount of interest, and the pressure on the players increasing, one thing is for sure…the World Cup has well and truly begun!