Moldovan diaspora footballers unite at Dinamo Stadium cup
The Dinamo Stadium in the capital was filled with an electrifying atmosphere as 12 teams competed in the Moldovan Diaspora Mini-Football Cup.
Moldovans living in Italy, Ireland, Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany, and Portugal, along with several teams from Moldova itself, proved that football is not just a spectacle but a social phenomenon.
"We all get together. We meet new people and then become friends. It's great," said Ștefan Cortar, a member of the team from Great Britain.
"It's very interesting. I came all the way from Belgium just to be part of this tournament. We always enjoy playing football and keeping fit," pointed out Luis Vizitiu, a member of the team from Belgium.
"I'm very glad that this is a first-of-its-kind tournament. I hope it becomes a traditional event. There's a lot of passion, a lot of tension. In the end, football and friendship win," reiterated Cristian Jardan, a member of the "Republic of Moldova European Union" team.
The grand final saw the team of Moldovan players from Belgium face off against FC Moldavie, a side made up of our compatriots who work in Paris, the French capital. The Belgians won 3-2.
"We're happy to have reunited. We're especially happy that we're taking home the big trophy," stated Ion Țurcanu, a member of the team from Belgium.
"We worked hard and fought. We had the misfortune of our goalkeeper getting injured in the final," said Ion Cebanu, the president and founder of FC Moldavie.
The team of Moldovan players living in Great Britain finished in third place. The event's goal was to strengthen ties between the diaspora and their homeland, promote an active lifestyle, and celebrate the Moldovan community around the world through football.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
