The 2003 Indoor World Cups were organized in Leipzig, Germany, with 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams representing 17 countries (7 countries had a team in both divisions).

 

693 goals were scored during the 76 games (372 on the men’s side and 321 on the women’s side), an average of 9.1 per game.

 

Germany won the gold medals in both divisions, while France won the bronze medals in both divisions.

 

For the 2007 Samsung Indoor World Cups organized in Vienna, the 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams represent 16 countries, with 8 countries having a team in both divisions (Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, South Africa and Spain).

 

On the men’s side, 4 countries competing in 2003 do not return in 2007: France, Netherlands, United States and New Zealand are replaced by Austria, Italy, Spain and Trinidad & Tobago.

 

39 men play in their second Indoor World Cup (3 AUS, 7 CAN, 6 CZE, 7 POL, 5 RUS, 5 RSA and 6 SUI). None of the 2003 German World Champions are returning this year.

 

John De SOUZA played in 2003 and comes back in 2007 as coach of the Canadian men’s team. Mark SANDHU was an umpire in 2003 and comes back this year as coach of the Australian women’s team.

 

In 2003, 9 out of 12 players in the German team had won gold a few months earlier in the outdoor World Cup in Kuala Lumpur. This year, 5 German players were in the team that won gold at the 2006 outdoor World Cup in Mönchengladbach: Ulrich BUBOLZ (GK), Sebastian BIEDERLACK, Moritz FUERSTE, Niklas MEINERT and Timo WESS (C).

 

On the women’s side, 5 countries competing in 2003 do not return in 2007: France, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia and Trinidad & Tobago are replaced by Canada, Scotland, Spain, Italy and Ukraine.

 

22 women play in their second Indoor World Cup (2 AUS, 7 AUT, 4 BLR, 2 CZE, 1 GER, 3 NED and 3 RSA). Natasha KELLER is the only player returning from the 2003 German World Champions; in Leipzig, she was also the top scorer and chosen as the Player of the Tournament. Natasha KELLER and Marion RODEWALD (C) are the only two German players from the team that conquered  Gold at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

 

The average age of the men’s teams is 26, with Poland the oldest team (29) and Germany the youngest (23). At 41, Alan YOUNG (Trinidad & Tobago) is the oldest player, while Devohn TEIXEIRA (Canada) is the youngest at 18.

 

The average age of the women’s teams is 25, with Scotland the oldest team (30) and Spain the youngest (22). At 47, Alison RAMSAY (Scotland) is the oldest player, while Georgina OLIVA (Spain) is the youngest at 16.

 

Finally, only one out of the 288 players (men and women) has a birthday during the 2007 Indoor World Cup: Scott SANDISON (CAN) will turn 28 on the opening day (Wednesday 14 February). His sister Leigh, playing on the Canadian women’s team, will be on hand to sing the traditional song!