Star Sixes

Star Sixes is a competitive six-a-side indoor football competition, where former international association football players are chosen to represent a senior national team for which they played.[1][2][3] The inaugural event took place in July 2017 in London, England at The O2 Arena.[1][2][3] Further regionalised events were set for late-2017 in Asia but never took place.[1][2][3]

Format

For the inaugural edition, all teams participating will have a squad of ten players, with six being on the field of play including a captain.[4] Squads are chosen by the team captain and the tournament organisers. There will be three groups of four.[4] In the groups, each team will play each other team once and the top two from each group, plus two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals, before facing off for a place in the semi-final and subsequent final. Six group matches (two from each group) will take place on day one, before the same amount on days two and three.[4] The quarter-finals will be held on day three with the semi-finals, third place play-off and final following on the last day of competition. There will be no extra time or penalties in the group stage but a penalty shoot-out will be played if a knockout fixture ends tied.[4] Group matches will last for 20 minutes, while knockout fixtures will last for 30 minutes; with short half-time breaks.[4]

2017 edition

2017 Star Sixes Betsafe
Tournament details
Host country  England
Dates 13–16 July
Teams 12
Venue(s) 1 (in 1 host city)
Final positions
Champions  France (1st title)
Runners-up  Denmark
Third place  Spain
Fourth place  Brazil
Tournament statistics
Matches played 26
Goals scored 135 (5.19 per match)
Top scorer(s) Spain Míchel Salgado
Best player Denmark Chris Sørensen

Before the launch, the likes of Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Robert Pirès, Michael Ballack, Deco, Carles Puyol, Roberto Carlos and Jay-Jay Okocha were announced as player participants while Australia, Brazil, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal and Spain were announced as nation participants.[1][2][3] The 2017 edition was officially launched at The O2 Arena on 24 January 2017, during which more players were announced, namely Jens Lehmann, David James, Emile Heskey, Rio Ferdinand, Dominic Matteo and Gaizka Mendieta.[5] Australia and Netherlands were replaced with Denmark and Scotland, but no reason was given.[5][6][7]

The group stage draw, conducted by captains Ballack and Pirès, took place on 24 March, it was broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports News HQ.[8]

Players

Gerrard, Pirès, Ballack, Okocha, Deco, Matteo and Puyol are captains of their respective teams.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Don Hutchison, Olivier Dacourt, Míchel Salgado, Martin Jørgensen, Stig Tøfting, William Gallas and Éric Abidal have since been announced.[14][16][17][18][19][20] Five players were added to Scotland's squad on 10 March, including Paul Dickov and Barry Ferguson.[21] Marcel Desailly was one of three players added to France's squad on 15 March.[22] Juliano Belletti was added for Brazil five days later.[23] Spain added four players on 24 March, and the full Mexico squad was announced on 28 March.[24][25] Gilberto Silva (Brazil) and Christian Abbiati (Italy) were announced on 31 March.[26]

Maniche, Vítor Baía and Fernando Couto joined Portugal's squad on 12 April.[27] Germany added three players days later.[28] John Sivebæk and Daniel Jensen were added to Denmark's squad on 19 April.[29] Scotland completed their squad on 21 April with the additions of Jackie McNamara, Mark Burchill and Neil McCann.[30] Celestine Babayaro joined Nigeria's squad on 5 May.[31] Five more players were announced in May, while Betsafe became the naming rights holders.[32][33] On 26 May, Daniel Amokachi, Julius Aghahowa and Garba Lawal joined Nigeria.[34] José Bosingwa joined Portugal on 7 June.[35] Rivaldo was one of three players added for Brazil on 9 June, he was also named captain for Brazil.[36][37] Fabrizio Ravanelli joined Italy on 15 June.[38]

Dietmar Hamann joined Germany on 16 June,[39] prior to Nuno Gomes, Raul Meireles, Kevin Kurányi, Mads Junker, Mikkel Beckmann, Chris Sørensen, Hjalte Nørregaard and Per Krøldrup all signing up on 23 June.[40] Juninho, Djalminha, Danny Murphy, Paul Merson, Carlos Marchena and Lee Hendrie joined during the following week.[41] Italy added six on 29 June, including Paolo Di Canio, but also lost two as Christian Abbiati and Simone Perrotta (injured) left the competition.[42][43][44] Also on 29 June, three players joined Nigeria.[42] On 30 June, Portugal completed their squad while China's entire team was announced. Youri Djorkaeff also joined France.[45] Twelve new faces joined on 6 July, including two replacements; Richard Hughes replaced Neil McCann (who pulled out following his appointment as Dundee manager) while Erubey Cabuto took the place of the injured Jorge Campos.[44] The squad lists were completed on 11 July with France, Germany and Spain adding players; Germany added three including Timo Hildebrand who replaces Lehmann; this means Germany have eleven players, it is presumed that one of their players will withdraw - that player was later confirmed as David Odonkor.[32][46] German-born former Northern Irish international Maik Taylor was announced as the competition's back-up goalkeeper.[46] Ferdinand withdrew from the competition on 13 July following the passing of his mother. He was replaced by Luke Young.[47]

Nation Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5 Player 6 Player 7 Player 8 Player 9 Player 10
 Brazil Rivaldo (C) Roberto Carlos Juliano Belletti Gilberto Silva Elano Dida Juninho Djalminha Júlio Baptista Amaral
 China Peng Weiguo Peng Weijun Yao Xia Fu Bin Liang Jianfeng Jiang Feng Wei Qun Liu Cheng Chen Yongqiang Hu Zhijun
 Denmark Stig Tøfting (C) Martin Jørgensen John Sivebæk Daniel Jensen Mads Junker Mikkel Beckmann Chris Sørensen Hjalte Nørregaard Per Krøldrup Jan Hoffmann
 England Steven Gerrard (C) Michael Owen David James Emile Heskey Phil Neville Danny Murphy Paul Merson Lee Hendrie Wes Brown Luke Young
 France Robert Pirès (C) Olivier Dacourt William Gallas Éric Abidal Ludovic Giuly Sébastien Frey Marcel Desailly Youri Djorkaeff Bruno Cheyrou Vincent Candela
 Germany Michael Ballack (C) Marco Reich Simon Rolfes Dietmar Hamann Kevin Kurányi Jörg Albertz Jens Nowotny Timo Hildebrand Maurizio Gaudino Dariusz Wosz
 Italy Alessandro Del Piero (C) Simone Barone Fabrizio Ravanelli Paolo Di Canio Angelo Di Livio Stefano Fiore Marco Delvecchio Marco Amelia Massimo Oddo Luciano Zauri
 Mexico Jared Borgetti (C) Luis Hernández Alberto García Aspe Joaquín Reyes Braulio Luna Mario Méndez Miguel Zepeda Alberto Rodríguez Héctor Altamirano Erubey Cabuto
 Nigeria Jay-Jay Okocha (C) Celestine Babayaro Daniel Amokachi Julius Aghahowa Garba Lawal Joseph Yobo Taribo West Victor Ikpeba Peter Rufai Uche Okechukwu
 Portugal Deco (C) Maniche Vítor Baía Fernando Couto José Bosingwa Nuno Gomes Raul Meireles Paulo Ferreira Hélder Postiga Luís Boa Morte
 Scotland Dominic Matteo (C) Don Hutchison Robert Douglas Christian Dailly Simon Donnelly Paul Dickov Barry Ferguson Jackie McNamara Mark Burchill Richard Hughes
 Spain Carles Puyol (C) Gaizka Mendieta Míchel Salgado Luis García David Albelda Pedro Contreras Alfonso Pérez Fernando Morientes Carlos Marchena Joan Capdevila

Maik Taylor was a reserve goalkeeper for all nations. Colin Hendry was a replacement for Scotland.

Group standings

Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Spain 3 3 0 0 12 2 +10 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  England 3 2 0 1 6 6 0 6
3  Scotland 3 1 0 2 4 10 −6 3 Knockout stage or elimination
4  Mexico 3 0 0 3 3 7 −4 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Star Sixes[48]
England England1-4Spain Spain
 Report
Mexico Mexico1-3Scotland Scotland
 Report
Spain Spain2-1Mexico Mexico
 Report
Scotland Scotland1-3England England
 Report
Spain Spain6-0Scotland Scotland
England England2-1Mexico Mexico


Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Brazil 3 3 0 0 12 1 +11 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Italy 3 2 0 1 7 5 +2 6
3  Nigeria 3 1 0 2 4 7 −3 3 Knockout stage or elimination
4  China PR 3 0 0 3 4 14 −10 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Star Sixes[48]
Nigeria Nigeria3-2China China PR
 Report
Brazil Brazil2-1Italy Italy
 Report
China PR China0-7Brazil Brazil
Report
Italy Italy2-1Nigeria Nigeria
 Report
Brazil Brazil3-0Nigeria Nigeria
Italy Italy4-2China China PR


Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Denmark 3 1 2 0 9 7 +2 5 Advance to knockout stage
2  France 3 1 1 1 7 7 0 4
3  Germany 3 1 1 1 6 7 −1 4 Knockout stage or elimination
4  Portugal 3 1 0 2 8 9 −1 3
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Star Sixes[48]
Portugal Portugal4-6Denmark Denmark
 Report
Germany Germany4-3France France
 Report
France France3-2Portugal Portugal
 Report
Denmark Denmark2-2Germany Germany
 Report
France France1-1Denmark Denmark
Germany Germany0-2Portugal Portugal

Knockout phase

Knockout stage

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
 15 July — London
 
 
Spain Spain8
 
 16 July — London
 
Nigeria Nigeria1
 
Spain Spain2
 
 15 July — London
 
France France5
 
Italy Italy2
 
 16 July — London
 
France France4
 
France France2
 
 15 July — London
 
Denmark Denmark1
 
Brazil Brazil3
 
 16 July — London
 
Germany Germany1
 
Brazil Brazil2
 
 15 July — London
 
Denmark Denmark4 Third place
 
Denmark Denmark3
 
 16 July — London
 
England England1
 
Spain Spain11
 
 
Brazil Brazil3
 

Quarter-finals

Spain Spain8–1Nigeria Nigeria
Brazil Brazil3–1Germany Germany
Denmark Denmark3–1England England
Italy Italy2–4France France

Semi-finals

Spain Spain2–5France France
Brazil Brazil2–4Denmark Denmark

Third place play-off

Spain Spain11–3Brazil Brazil

Final

France France2–1Denmark Denmark

Top goalscorers

9 goals

6 goals

5 goals

4 goals

2019 edition

2019 Star Sixes
Tournament details
Host country  Scotland
Dates 4–6 January
Teams 6
Venue(s) 1 (in 1 host city)

The competition's second edition was announced in October 2018, with the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland hosting.[49] It will feature past participants England and Scotland, along with Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and a Rest of the World XI.[49]

Players

Michael Owen and Robert Pirès were the first players announced.[49] Barry Ferguson will return to play for hosts Scotland, he'll captain the side in place of Dominic Matteo.[50]

Nation Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5 Player 6 Player 7 Player 8 Player 9 Player 10
 England Michael Owen
 Northern Ireland
 Republic of Ireland
Rest of the World France Robert Pirès
 Scotland Barry Ferguson (C)
 Wales

Group standings

Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  England 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Final
2  Northern Ireland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Republic of Ireland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Rest of the World 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5  Scotland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6  Wales 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: Star Sixes[50]

Media coverage

Market Broadcast partner Ref
 United Kingdom
 Ireland		Sky Sports (English)[51]
 ItalyFox Sports Italy (Italian)
 FrancebeIN Sports (French)
 PortugalSport TV (Portuguese)[52][53]
 DenmarkTV3 Sport (Danish)[54][55]
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Croatia
 Macedonia
 Montenegro
 Serbia		Arena Sport (Croatian/Serbian)[56]
 Costa Rica
 Dominican Republic
 El Salvador
 Guatemala
 Honduras
 Mexico
 Nicaragua
 Panama		Sky México (Spanish)[57]
 BrazilSporTV (Brazilian Portuguese)
 IsraelCharlton Broadcasting Company (Hebrew)
 Algeria
 Bahrain
 Chad
 Djibouti
 Egypt
 Iran
 Iraq
 Jordan
 Kuwait
 Lebanon
 Libya
 Mauritania
 Morocco
 Oman
 Palestine
 Qatar
 Saudi Arabia
 Somalia
 South Sudan
 Sudan
 Syria
 Tunisia
 United Arab Emirates
 Yemen		beIN Sports (Arabic)[52][58]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Star Sixes Press Release" (PDF). Star Sixes. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Steven Gerrard signs up for new Star Sixes tournament at London's O2". Sky Sports. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "International stars sign up for new 'Star Sixes' tournament at the O2". Pitch International. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "FAQ - Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Star Sixes: El Mundial de leyendas se jugará este verano en Londres". Marca. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Star Sixes at The O2 Arena". The O2 Arena. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  7. ↑ "Steven Gerrard: Liverpool return makes ex-captain 'nervous and anxious'". BBC Sport. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  8. ↑ "Pirès and Ballack To Make Star Sixes Draw Live on Sky Sports on Friday". Star Sixes. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  9. ↑ "Steven Gerrard profile". Star Sixes. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  10. ↑ "Robert Pirès profile". Star Sixes. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  11. ↑ "Michael Ballack profile". Star Sixes. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  12. ↑ "Jay-Jay Okocha profile". Star Sixes. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  13. ↑ "Deco profile". Star Sixes. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  14. 1 2 "New Star Sixes Recruit Don Hutchinson Relishing Battle of Britain Reprise". Star Sixes. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  15. ↑ "Carles Puyol profile". Star Sixes. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  16. ↑ "Olivier Dacourt believes France can rule again at Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 22 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  17. ↑ "Míchel Salgado Plots Star Sixes Success with Spain". Star Sixes. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  18. ↑ "Denmark Duo Tøfting and Jørgensen Eager for Star Sixes Challenge". Star Sixes. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  19. ↑ "William Gallas Excited to Make London Return for Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  20. ↑ "France Legend Éric Abidal Proud to Return to 'Special' London for Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  21. ↑ "Scotland Bravehearts 'Flag Up' Bid for Star Sixes Coup". Star Sixes. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  22. ↑ "Ludovic Giuly Says 'Super' France have Sights set on Star Sixes Success". Star Sixes. 15 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  23. ↑ "World Cup winner Juliano Belletti wants another trophy with Brazil at Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  24. ↑ "Liverpool hero Luis García eyeing Star Sixes reunion with Steven Gerrard". Star Sixes. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  25. ↑ "Mexico 'will Bring Colour' to Star Sixes says Jorge Campos". Star Sixes. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "Arsenal 'Invincible' Gilberto Silva joins Brazilian Ranks at Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  27. ↑ "Maniche Delighted to Reunite Portugal's Golden Generation". Star Sixes. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  28. ↑ "'Elfmeter' Experts Germany Looking Ominous". Star Sixes. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  29. ↑ "John Sivebæk Wants to Write Another Fairy Tale with Denmark at Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  30. ↑ "Jackie McNamara says Scotland "will give it a right good go" at Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  31. ↑ "Celestine Babayaro Doing Backflips After Star Sixes Call-Up for Jay-Jay's Nigeria". Star Sixes. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  32. 1 2 "Teams & Players". Star Sixes. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  33. ↑ "Betsafe the Latest Stellar Signing for First-ever Star Sixes Tournament". Star Sixes. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  34. ↑ "Amokachi excited to partner the man who taught Ronaldinho 'tekkers' at Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  35. ↑ "Former Chelsea Ace Targeting Historic Treble for Portgual at Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  36. ↑ "Brazil World Cup Legend Rivaldo joins Samba Boys for Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  37. ↑ "Rivaldo profile". Star Sixes. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  38. ↑ "Fabrizio Ravanelli joins Del Piero's Italy for Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  39. ↑ "Liverpool Champions League hero Dietmar Hamann to return for Germany at Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  40. ↑ "Meireles and Nuno Gomes Bolster Portugal Ranks as Eight Legends are Unveiled for Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  41. ↑ "Middlesbrough Legend Juninho Leads Five New Star Sixes Signings". Star Sixes. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  42. 1 2 "Paolo Di Canio to Return to East London as Latest Italian Star Sixes Signing". Star Sixes. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  43. ↑ "Italy Icon Del Piero targets repeat of World Cup 'Magic' at Star Sixes". Star Sixes. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  44. 1 2 "Champions League Winner Wes Brown Heads List of Star Sixes Newcomers". Star Sixes. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  45. ↑ "World Champion Djorkaeff and Double Champions League Winner Ferreira Among Latest Star Sixes Recruits". Star Sixes. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  46. 1 2 "More World Cup Winners Head to Star Sixes as Final Five are Unveiled". Star Sixes. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  47. ↑ "Rio Ferdinand". Star Sixes. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  48. 1 2 3 "Star Sixes Schedule". Star Sixes. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  49. 1 2 3 "Star Sixes coming to Glasgow in 2019". Star Sixes. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  50. 1 2 "Star Sixes Glasgow on sale now!". Star Sixes. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  51. ↑ "Star Sixes: Steven Gerrard and England to face Spain in six-a-side tournament at The O2". Sky Sports. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  52. 1 2 "Star Sixes: England vs Spain". LiveSoccerTV. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  53. ↑ "Sport TV TV Guide". Sport TV. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  54. ↑ "TV3 Sport TV-guide". TV3 Sport. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  55. ↑ "Optakt til Star Sixes: Beckmann ser frem til kampe mod Okocha, Ballack, Pirès og Roberto Carlos". TV3 Sport. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  56. ↑ "Arena Sport TV Guide". Arena Sport. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  57. ↑ "El evento Star Sixes reúne a estrellas del fútbol de distintas generaciones que representarán a su país". Sky Sports Mexico. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  58. ↑ "beIN Sports MENA/Arabia TV Guide". beIN Sports. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
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