LivescoreIran to participate in 2019 Granatkin Memorial Tournament
Caption: Iran has been drawn in Group B this year along with Argentina, Armenia and the Russia B team.
The U-19 Iranian National football team is once again travelling to Russia to participate in the famous Granatkin Memorial International Tournament. The tournament is being held at the iconic Petrovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg from June 4th to June 14th, and will consist of under-19 national teams from a number of countries.
The tournament involves 12 national teams which are then divided into 3 groups. Other countries competing in this memorial tournament include Argentina, Armenia, Greece, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.
Groups in 2019
As stated, the teams in the tournament will be split into 3 groups. Group A includes the main Russian national team, Bulgaria, Moldova and India.
Iran have been drawn in Group B, with the Russian B team, as well as Argentina and Armenia. Finally, Group C hosts Greece, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkey and Tajikistan.
Iran has yet to win the cup, coming close just once in 2001. No doubt the Iranian National football team coach Sirous Pourmousavi is hoping to bring a win back to Iran in this year's tournament.
The event is not as large as some of the major leagues so it will not be broadcast as widely however you will still be able to place bets through some outlets and take advantage of bonus offers from select online bookmakers. You will also be able to watch the tournament via a number of online live streams.
History of the Cup
Photo by Post of the Soviet Union/ CC0 1.0
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Caption: Commemorative envelope image issued for the tournament in 1989
The tournament dates back to 1981 when it was started by FIFA president Joao Havelange, in honour of FIFA vice-president Valentin Aleksandrovich Granatkin who had died two years previously, in 1979.
Originally the Granatkin Memorial Tournament was held in Moscow but was later moved to what was then called Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg. Since the inaugural tournament, a number of talented players have emerged such as Oliver Bierhoff, Kevin De Bruyne and the famous Russian football star Aleksandr Mostovoi.
The tournament also presents awards to players every year, such as Best Goalkeeper, Defender, Attacker and Most Valuable Player. The title of MVP has been won by a number of players who have gone on to play at the international level, such as Ivan Oblyakov from the Russian team, and Lukas Haraslin from Slovakia.
Photo by Florstein/ CC BY-SA 4.0
Caption: The Petrovsky Stadium in St. Petersburg
Recent winners of the tournament include the Saint Petersburg team as well as Russia, Slovenia, Japan and Italy. With any luck, this will be the year Iran takes the win and brings the Granatkin Memorial Cup back home.