Kaplan Cup Unites International Students in Celebration of Football

Two nail-biting finals settled the inaugural Kaplan Cup as hundreds of international students were united in a celebration of football at the home of West Ham United.

More than 150 students from 25 nationalities contested the international 5-a-side football tournament organised by Kaplan International English, which saw Angola triumph in the men’s competition and a specially assembled World Team emerge victorious in the women’s event.

Angola narrowly beat France 1-0 in a competitive final under the floodlights whilst the women’s World Team, featuring students from Angola and Switzerland, scored a last minute winner against Italy to clinch the trophy in another tight 1-0 victory.

The two finals completed a four-hour festival of football, which saw 20 international teams battle it out in front of a crowd of hundreds of spectators. For all the tournament photos, videos and results, visit kaplan.do/kaplancup.

Martin Hofschroer, Kaplan Cup event organiser, said: “Congratulations to the Kaplan Cup winners. It was a wonderful evening of friendship and football, which was thoroughly enjoyed by players and spectators alike.”

The inaugural Kaplan Cup was established in association with Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion campaign.

Dean Watson, Grassroots Development Officer at Kick It Out, said: “Kick It Out is happy to support the Kaplan Cup. Sport and education have a pivotal role to play in promoting equality and inclusion. This is a positive event that helps to show that football truly is for everyone.”

Hundreds of students from Kaplan’s 12 schools across the United Kingdom and Ireland applied to play in the Kaplan Cup and the lucky ones were notified by a special video draw played on Kaplan’s Facebook pages.

Each team played in customized Kaplan Cup kits and the event was hosted by BBC presenter and commentator Mark Scott.