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MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS OF 2007
[04:06 pm] 28 December, 2007
We have summed up the results of Armenian sporting
events at the turn of the year.
1.On January 6, 2007, the Armenian football team won
over A Group leader Poland within the framework of
Euro-2008 elimination matches. The victory really
boomed the whole country. Thousands of football fans
wandered in Yerevan streets shouting `Armenia!’ all
day long.
2. The Armenian wrestling team took the first place in
the European Wrestling Championship held in
Strasbourg. The victory was unprecedented for the
country as we had three champions and one
vice-champion at one time.
3. This year Armenia has participated at an
international tournament for the first time since the
collapse of the USSR. 31 Armenian delegates partook at
the World Wrestling Championship in Baku in the
September of 2007.
4. Armenian chess teams played successfully at a
European championship taking silver and bronze medals.
Now let’s speak of losses.
1. The chief coach of the Armenian football team Yan
Porterfield deceased untimely. Due to the Scottish
coach Armenia was involved in A Group try-outs. His
death came as a shock for the whole country.
Undoubtedly, Porterfield was the best coach of the
team.
2. None of the Armenian sportsmen gained a medal at
world championships.
3. Some sportsmen were engaged in politics and became
an indispensable part of political hostilities. This
refers to wrestlers and chess players who became
affiliated with the `Prosperous Armenia’ (BHK) and
`Republican’ (HHK) parties respectively.
4. Armenian boxer Vachagan Avagian quitted the
Armenian boxing team and left for the USA.