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Children from over 100 countries to take part in Football for Friendship eWorld Championship: final results of draw announced

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On November 27, as a result of an online draw, 32 international teams of the annual Gazprom International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship Championship were determined. Children from all over the world will compete for the title of Football for Friendship World Champions and for tickets to the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul. For the first time ever, the draw was conducted live by Young Participants, and the broadcast’s special guest was the legendary football player Roberto Carlos.

Matteo de Venecia (Philippines), Kinley Deki Yangzom (Bhutan), Irintsu Rakotomamoni (Madagascar), and Evgenia Gorbunova (Russia) selected 32 international teams (8 groups of 4 teams each). In keeping with tradition, the teams took the names of rare animal species.

Distinguished guests and ambassadors of the project – World Cup winner and 3 times UEFA Champions League Winner Roberto Carlos, Adviser to the President of the Football Union of Russia Alexey Smertin, Head of Football Education Services at UEFA Frank Ludolph, professional FIFA player, currently playing for FC Schalke 04, Tim (Tim “Latka”) Schwartmann – announced the upcoming events. From November 27 to December 9, 2020, Young Participants will be treated to:

  • 2020 Online International Football for Friendship Forum and Award, where projects in the field of children’s sports development will be presented (November 30 – December 4, 2020).
  • Online Football for Friendship International Children’s Press Center, where Young Journalists study and work (November 28 – December 9, 2020).
  • Online International Friendship Camp with a humanitarian and sports programme for children (November 28 – December 6, 2020).
  • Qualifying games of the 2020 Football for Friendship eWorld Championship (December 7 – December 8, 2020).
  • Football for Friendship Grand Final on December 9, 2020, where the winners and lucky ticket holders for the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul will be determined.

“Football for Friendship is a real social lift, giving the younger generation the opportunity to realize their potential and make their dreams come true. Today, Football for Friendship is once again uniting Young Players, aspiring Young Journalists and simply young people with a passion for sports from all over the world, and everyone here will be able to learn something new, make new friends, and just have an unforgettable experience”, said Roberto Carlos to the Young Participants from different countries.

The Football for Friendship World Championship is traditionally held in different cities shortly before the final matches of the UEFA Champions League. To preserve the event so eagerly awaited by children all over the world, this year it was decided to hold the competition online – in the new Football for Friendship World football simulator.

“Today, we can take pride in a whole generation of grown-up athletes, public figures, journalists and simply goal-oriented young people, who were given amazing opportunities for a professional start by Football for Friendship. I would like to congratulate and wish good luck to all participants of the 2020 Football for Friendship Season”, said Viktor Zubkov, Chairman of the Gazprom Board of Directors, addressing this season’s participants.

Young Participants of the Football for Friendship programme will be the first to play the game. The game app will be made available to the general public on December 10 – World Football Day. You can download it for free for MS Windows, Apple MacOS, Android, iOS.

Online broadcast recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZPiwnuELtY.

About the programme:

The International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship is implemented by Gazprom since 2013. Over the previous seven seasons, the programme has united over 6 000 participants from 211 countries and regions and over 5 000 000 supporters.

Young Players and Young Journalists are the participants of the programme – boys and girls aged 12 including children with disabilities. Young Players represent different countries and cultures united in the mixed teams. They show that nationality, gender, and physical abilities aren’t a barrier to becoming a team. Young Journalists cover the events of the programme in the International Children’s Press Center. All participants become Young Ambassadors of the programme and continue to share their Football for Friendship experience and promote universal human values: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions, and honour.

UEFA, FIFA, football federations and the world’s leading football clubs, international charity foundations, famous athletes, politicians, and artists support Football for Friendship. The project has received multiple national and international awards in the field of social responsibility, sports, and communications, including the world record for the most nationalities in a football training session in history.

In 2020, Football for Friendship will be held in the online format. A special digital platform will unite over 10 000 players of all ages. It will become the home for international children’s competitions and a playground where anyone will be able to train, join into the international mixed teams and play their favourite game in the Football for Friendship format without leaving the comfort of their home.

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Magnus Carlsen Claims Inaugural Chess at 2025 Esports World Cup Title as Two Grand Masters Clashed on the World Stage

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Magnus Carlsen has claimed the inaugural Chess at 2025 Esports World Cup title, beating out Alireza Firouzja in a thrilling final series.

Representing Team Liquid, Magnus Carlsen was able to secure a straight 2-0 series victory against Team Falcons’ French star Alireza Firouzja. The Norwegian grandmaster entered Chess at EWC 25 as the favourite, and it was clear to see why. As for his Team Falcons opponent, Firouzja, while he had moments of brilliance, the gulf in class between the two in this series showed.

The world number-one swept the Team Falcons representative in sensational style with a straight sets victory that reaffirmed his status as one of the all-time greats. Carlsen took the first set 3-1, before dominating the second set 3-1 once again to secure a 2-0 series victory.

Magnus Carlsen’s win sees Team Liquid claim their first victory at the 2025 Esports World Cup. The victory continues a great year thus far for Magnus Carlsen, who won Chess.com’s 2025 Champions Chess Tour to qualify for the EWC, as well as his seventh Norway Chess title and the 2025 Grenke Chess Freestyle Open with a perfect 9/9 score.

“I am very happy, a little bit relieved as well. There was a point in the second set where I felt I let him back in the match for no reason. Overall, I’m happy with the way I played and the way I pressured him on the clock. A couple of times I rushed a little bit, but that comes with everything,” said Carlsen.

“I think it’s been incredible. Not only playing, but watching the others. It’s been an amazing show, unlike anything I’ve seen so far. It’s just been a joy. I hope this is a big part of the future of chess. I’m really thankful to EWC for believing in Chess, for Team Liquid for believing in me as well, and for making Team Falcons have to fight at least a little bit for the Club Championship,” he said.

The post Magnus Carlsen Claims Inaugural Chess at 2025 Esports World Cup Title as Two Grand Masters Clashed on the World Stage appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP FINALISTS LOCKED IN AS 16 TEAMS MAKE THE CUT

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The prestigious 2025 PUBG MOBILE World Cup (PMWC) is shifting into high-gear as the pivotal Survival Stage has concluded after two days of high-stakes plays and fierce competition which saw Horaa Esports take pole position. In total, eight elite teams have emerged victorious, earning a spot to compete in the 2025 PMWC Grand Finals, where they’ll be reunited with the eight teams that came out on top during the Group Stage last weekend. Only one team will take home the lion’s share of the $3 million prize pool, and the crown position as the 2025 PMWC Champion, as part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

Over the course of three action-packed days, the Survival Stage delivered intense battles in 12 adrenaline-fueled matches, as 16 teams fought for the final eight coveted slots in the Grand Finals. Early momentum was set by Fire Flux Esports on day one, consistently securing top finishes, while POWR Esports made a strong impact on day two with aggressive plays and smart rotations. Throughout the stage, teams such as Regnum Carya and eArena demonstrated their resilience and adaptability, skillfully navigating high-pressure situations to place in the Top 3 for four of their matches. The MEA region also proved itself a powerhouse, with both Team Falcons and POWR Esports advancing to the Grand Finals. Surprisingly, last year’s reigning champions, Alpha7 Esports, were eliminated in this Survival Stage, ending their run in the tournament after a series of hard-fought matches, guaranteeing a new team will take the throne.

Showcasing their strategic brilliance, Horaa Esports earned an impressive 108 points, marking them as the top dogs of the Survival Stage. Along with seven other finalists from this stage, they have secured their spot in the Grand Finals.

The 16 top-performing teams to compete in the Grand Finals from tomorrow include:

  1. Horaa Esports
  2. Fire Flux Esports
  3. POWR Esports
  4. Regnum Carya
  5. eArena
  6. NS RedForce
  7. Team Falcons
  8. Yangon Galacticos
  9. Alter Ego Ares
  10. 4Thrives Esports
  11. DRX
  12. Weibo Gaming
  13. Alpha Gaming
  14. Team Secret
  15. TT Global
  16. IDA Esports

This Grand Finals will also feature a brand new theme song Smash!, a hype beat that will play once the SMASH ruleset is active and a team is just one Winner Winner Chicken Dinner away from overall victory. With the placements confirmed and schedule locked in, the 2025 PMWC Grand Finals weekend is set to be an exceptional display of top PUBG MOBILE Esports talent. As the second edition of the PUBG MOBILE World Cup (PMWC), and part of the Esports World Cup, these dedicated teams will be doubling down on their competitive edge, leaving everything on the battleground as they fight for the crown, and the lion’s share of the $3 million prize pool.

The post 2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP FINALISTS LOCKED IN AS 16 TEAMS MAKE THE CUT appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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JBO Thailand Launches Esports World Cup Promotion

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JBO, a well-established online gaming and entertainment platform, has announced an exciting new promotion tailored for the highly anticipated Esports World Cup 2025. Esports enthusiasts in Thailand now have a compelling opportunity to win up to 30,000 Jcoin by placing wagers on the thrilling “World Cup Qualifiers” matches. This shows JBO Thailand’s commitment to giving great value and fun experiences to all its players.

This exclusive event is ongoing and will conclude on August 24, 2025, at 23:59 (GMT+8). This period strategically aligns with the intensified global esports calendar, leading up to the Esports World Cup and its critical qualifying rounds. JBO Thailand is actively creating an immersive environment that allows fans to engage more deeply with preferred teams and competitive events. Participation in the promotion is straightforward. Players are simply required to place bets on eligible “Esports World Cup Qualifiers” matches through JBO’s designated esports betting providers, IM Esports and TF Esports. The promotion is conveniently accessible via the “Reward Corner” section on the JBO platform, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience for all participants.

At the core of this attractive offer is JBO’s innovative Jcoin reward system. Players who log in to JBO and achieve a weekly turnover exceeding 3000 in the Esports category will automatically qualify for Jcoin rewards. The reward system gives bigger prizes as you play more, with up to 30,000 Jcoin available each week.

JBO also ensures a smooth and secure experience through the easy-to-use JBO app available for both Android and iOS devices. With fast withdrawals and smooth gameplay, the platform is ideal for esports fans to enjoy and earn real rewards. JBO is trusted across Asia and has Dimitar Berbatov as its brand ambassador, showing it as a top sportsbook and esports operator.

The post JBO Thailand Launches Esports World Cup Promotion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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