Ambassadors
International - Christian Karembeu
The former World Cup champion Christian Karembeu is the international ambassador for this year’s Junior Cup.
Christian Karembeu played as a midfielder for Bastia in the French League 1. He has also played for Nantes (1990-95), Sampdoria (1995-97), Real Madrid (1997-2000), Middlesbrough (2000-01), Olympiacos (2001-04), Servette Genève (2004-05) and Bastia (2005). With Real Madrid, Christian won the Champions League in 1998 and 2000. In 1998 he was a member of the French national team that won the World Cup. He is currently a scout for Arsenal Football Club.
The Netherlands - Bas van de Goor
The ambassador for the Netherlands is Bas van de Goor. He was formerly a member of the Dutch Olympic gold medal volleyball team, and also won the European Championship and the World League. During his eight-year stay in Italy he played for Modena and Treviso, followed by three years with Piet Zoomers/D in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. Now Bas has dedicated himself to his Foundation (Bas van de Goor Foundation) to enhance the quality of life for people with diabetes through exercise and sport.
Germany - Dimo Wache
The German ambassador is Dimo Wache, goalkeeper for fifteen years and team captain in 2010 for FSV Mainz ’05. As a former Bundesliga player with Type 1 diabetes, his experience is extremely valuable. Dimo is highly motivated to help children with diabetes and is happy to support the Medtronic Diabetes Junior Cup.
Belgium - Luxembourg - Eddy Snelders & Carl Huybrechts
The ambassadors for Belgium and Luxembourg are Eddy Snelders and Carl Huybrechts.
Eddy Snelders is a former Belgium player and co-trainer of the Belgian national team, the ‘Red Devils’. He has continued his career as a football commentator for Sportza Radio.
Carl Huybrechts is a Flemish sports presenter and commentator for both Belgian and Dutch TV stations. He commentated on the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008 and since 2009 has presented the French La Deux football programme, Studio 1.
Slovakia - Dr. Jozef Vengloš
The Slovakian ambassador is Dr. Jozef Vengloš, a former Czechoslovakian football player and coach. Vengloš played as a midfielder for Slovan Bratislava from 1954 to 1966 and, as assistant coach of the Czechoslovakian national team, he helped them to win the European Championship in 1976. He has managed Slovakia, Australia, Portugal, Malaysia, England, Turkey, Oman, Scotland and Japan.
Italy - Francesco Graziani
The Italian ambassador, Francesco Graziani (Ciccio), became famous as one of the leading members of the last Torino team to win the Scudetto. He continued his career with Fiorentina (1981-1983), AS Roma (1983-1988) and finally Udinese. Along with the Italian National team, he participated in the FIFA World Cup (1978, 1982) and the UEFA European Championship (1980). After retiring from his playing career, Graziani went on to coach a number of teams, namely Fiorentina, Avellino, Catania and Cervia. He currently works for Mediaset (Italy’s largest commercial broadcaster) as a football critic.
Switzerland - Michel Pont
Swiss ambassador Michel Pont’s career as a football player was cut short by injury when he was only 25 years old. Two years later (1981), he became a trainer in the Swiss first and second league. Since 2001, he has been the assistant coach of the Swiss National Soccer Team, and also a TSR (Television Suisse Romande) TV programme consultant.
Canada - Volen Parashkevov
The Canadian ambassador, Volen Parashkevov, is a former professional goalkeeper for Spartak in Bulgaria. He has a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, but his heart has always been on the football field, for both playing and for coaching children. His goal is to inspire, motivate and guide the players to become successful in their game, as well as in their lives.
