UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup

The UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup was a football tournament that featured national teams from Europe and Africa among players under 18, and was part of the co-operation programme between UEFA and the CAF.

UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup
Organising bodyUEFA & CAF
Founded1997
Abolished2007
RegionEurope
Africa
Last championsEuropean Selection U-18
Most successful team(s)Spain Spain (3 titles)

Meridian Project

edit

The UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup was part of the Meridian Project, a co-operation agreement concluded by the African and European football confederations in Lisbon on 30 January 1997 to promote the exchange of cultures and to offer young footballers a unique learning experience within the framework of a footballing festival. It was held every two years.

Change of format

edit

The competition evolved from its inception in 1997, running as an eight-team tournament until the 2005 event in Turkey after which the format was changed to a two-legged contest between two continental all-star U18 teams.[1] The last UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup also involved an educational component consisting of joint training sessions and meetings of coaches from Europe and Africa. The 2007 event took place in Barcelona, Spain, and was hosted on the premises of FC Barcelona.

Regulations

edit

The regulations for the UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup were initially drawn up by the UEFA Administration before being submitted to the UEFA Youth & Amateur Football Committee. They were then forwarded upon that committee's approval to the UEFA Executive Committee for ratification.

Tournaments

edit

Meridian Project

edit
Year Host Final Third place match
Winner Score Runner-up Third place Score Fourth place
1997
Details
  Portugal  
Nigeria
3–2  
Spain
 
Portugal
2–1 (a.e.t.)  
Greece
1999
Details
  South Africa  
Spain
2–1  
Ghana
 
Portugal
0–0
3–1 (p)
 
Egypt
2001
Details
  Italy  
Spain
Round robin
format
 
Italy
 
Portugal
Round robin
format
 
Czech Republic
2003
Details
  Egypt  
Spain
 
Switzerland
 
France
 
England
2005
Details
  Turkey  
France
 
Spain
 
Turkey
 
Portugal

New format

edit
Year Host Final
Winner Score Runner-up
2007
Details
  Spain European Selection U-18 6–1, 4–0 African Selection U-18

Teams reaching the top four

edit
Team Winners Runners-up Third place Fourth place
  Spain 3 (1999, 2001, 2003) 2 (1997, 2005) -
  France 1 (2005) - 1 (2003) -
  Nigeria 1 (1997) - - -
UEFA 1 (2007) - - -
  Ghana - 1 (1999) - -
  Italy - 1 (2001) - -
   Switzerland - 1 (2003) - -
CAF - 1 (2007) - -
  Portugal - - 3 (1997, 1999, 2001) 1 (2005)
  Turkey - - 1 (2005) -
  Greece - - - 1 (1997)
  Egypt - - - 1 (1999)
  Czech Republic - - - 1 (2001)
  England - - - 1 (2003)

References

edit
  1. ^ "Media accreditation for the 6th UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup in Barcelona". UEFA. 12 February 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2017.