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FC Barcelona becomes Football for Friendship Nine Values Cup holder for second time

Published

5 years ago

December 15, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

FC Barcelona wins the Nine Values Cup repeating the achievement of 2015 and becomes the only two-times holder of the unique football trophy. The Cup is awarded every year as part of the Gazprom International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship.

The Nine Values Cup is the only sports trophy in the world whose winner is determined by children. The results of the vote of the programme’s participants – Young Players and Journalists aged 10-16 from 104 countries of the world – named FC Barcelona the most socially responsible club of 2020. The Cup winner is chosen for following the Nine Values of the Football for Friendship programme: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions, and honour.

«I would like to congratulate all the people who have made this event possible since, due to the current situation of health crisis that the planet is experiencing, it has been a great success that said event has been held in such a way professional, with extreme sensitivity and transmitting a very positive energy at all times. Congratulations Organizing Committee», – notes the CEO of Soccer Barcelona Youth Academy, sports consultant for football clubs and academies and F4F ambassador Mike Puig.

From 2015, the Nine Values Cup is awarded every year to the most socially responsible football club. Over this time, the trophy was awarded to FC Barcelona (Spain), FC Bayern Munich (Germany), FC Al Wahda (Syria), FC Real Madrid (Spain), Brazilian national team, one of the participants of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, and FC Liverpool (UK).

The Nine Values Cup was created by the famous German sculptor Achim Ripperger especially for the Football for Friendship programme. The sculpture is made of aluminum and shows the figure of a young footballer holding the Earth represented as a football. The Cup symolises the future in the hands of the younger generation depending on the values this generation believes and promotes.

In 2020, the Football for Friendship held its Eighth Season, for the first time held in the online format. “It’s great that the organizers were able to hold the eighth season of the project, even if online. This year, I was entrusted with the opportunity to announce the winner of the Nine Values Cup and announce the most socially responsible football club this year. It’s FC Barcelona, I agree with the choice of the Football for Friendship participants, because, despite the pandemic, the club never stopped coming up with something for their fans, including the youngest ones”, – notes participant of the programme, Young Ambassdor from Russia, Denis Aladev.

The football club to receive the Nine Values Cup is determined in three steps. First, there is a global vote in which any club can participate. Second, a list of clubs-finalists who’ve gained the most votes is formed. Finally, Young Participants of the Football for Friendship programme vote to determine the club that has succeeded not only in sports, but also in implementing social initiatives.

This award reflects the idea that children have about good deeds; it supports and inspires professional clubs to continue doing social initiatives aimed at helping others.

Andrzej Hyla Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan

Wazdan launches €6,000,000 Network Promotion with Halloween Mystery Drop™

Published

1 hour ago

October 24, 2025

George Miller

wazdan-launches-e6,000,000-network-promotion-with-halloween-mystery-drop

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Wazdan, the gain-focused developer, has launched its latest network promotion instalment with Halloween Mystery Drop, offering a staggering €6,000,000 prize pool.

Running from 24^th October to 2^nd November, the enriched promotional campaign gets operators’ players in the spooky spirit with the supplier’s iconic Mystery Drop mechanic playing a starring role.

In a stylish gameplay upgrade, the seamless bonus system can randomly award players with a special screen that presents a choice of 9 mystery boxes, each revealing an instant cash reward.

Offering its partners’ player bases fresh ways to engage with their favourite Wazdan titles, which are live in over 30 regulated markets, the stylish campaign will also feature special Christmas and Valentine’s.

The second and third phases are set to incorporate the retention-proven Mystery Multiplier Drop mechanic, which sees additional awards being granted based on the player’s bet multiplied by a random number, further boosting the chance of strong win potential.

The latest move from Wazdan highlights its ability to captivate players globally through seamless, intriguing gameplay enhancements to its award-winning slot portfolio.

Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “At Wazdan, we are always looking for creative ways to help our partners boost player engagement, and our Halloween Mystery Drop kickstarts our latest endeavour.

“With €6,000,000 in prizes and a selection of our industry-proven mechanics returning for three major seasonal events, we are ensuring that operators can deliver thrilling, retention-focused experiences right through to the new year. It is an exciting way to celebrate 2025 and keep momentum high into 2026.”

The post Wazdan launches €6,000,000 Network Promotion with Halloween Mystery Drop™ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

EveryMatrix Press Releases

SlotMatrix gets spooky with the launch of Ghost Pigger

Published

1 hour ago

October 24, 2025

George Miller

slotmatrix-gets-spooky-with-the-launch-of-ghost-pigger

Reading Time: < 1 minute

SlotMatrix, the world’s largest casino content aggregator, has embraced the Halloween spirit with its latest exclusive release, Ghost Pigger.

Combining high energy rhythm and rewarding gameplay in a disco-fuelled haunted house, Ghost Pigger makes for a truly unique slot experience. The 96.09% RTP, medium volatility, and maximum win potential of up to 13,712x keep the players engaged.

At its core, Ghost Pigger features a dual-volatility bonus system designed to suit every playstyle. Players can choose between the Zombie Party Bonus, a Hold and Win feature with steady cash accumulation, or the Sticky Groove Bonus, offering eight free spins with Sticky Wilds and the potential for bigger payouts.

Adding even more excitement, the Coin Collect Multiplier increases a persistent multiplier each time a Collect symbol lands without coins. When two Collect symbols land together, the Star Duet Respins triggers, locking coins in place and doubling payouts for an electrifying win sequence.

The Big Boogie Spin is a feature that can trigger at any time, expanding the reels into a giant 4×4 grid and creating the potential for great rewards.

Available exclusively via SlotMatrix, Ghost Pigger is enhanced by EveryMatrix’s proprietary gamification tools, including free spins and leaderboards, and can be seamlessly integrated with EngageSuite, the all-in-one player loyalty solution.

Stephen Orchard, Head of Commercial Operations, SlotMatrix, said: “Ghost Pigger is a fantastic seasonal title. It’s very dynamic, with no dull spins, and so many rewarding mechanics. On top of that, it has the best visuals and most fluid animations.

“I believe we managed to develop a timeless treasure, and such a slot will be loved by players even after the Halloween season.”

The post SlotMatrix gets spooky with the launch of Ghost Pigger appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Finnish market

Veikkaus Renews its Betting and Online Casino Operations

Published

2 hours ago

October 24, 2025

Niji Narayan

veikkaus-renews-its-betting-and-online-casino-operations

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Veikkaus’ active preparation towards the new gambling system, which will launch in 2027, continues.

As part of the new strategy, Veikkaus held change negotiations in the Betting and Online Casino operations in the autumn. The change negotiation process has now been completed. Following the change negotiations, 14 employment relationships ended and 19 Veikkaus employees underwent significant changes in their employment relationships.

“We had to make decisions that were painful from a human perspective, but they are necessary for the future of the company. I would like to thank those who will no longer be with us for their hard work,” said Business Director Jarkko Nordlund.

According to Nordlund, Veikkaus is now creating a new organizational structure that will prepare the company for the coming years.

“Digitalization is also strongly driving our industry. International competition and the pace of development are really fierce. Veikkaus has decades of fine traditions and a lot of good expertise as a company. Alongside these, we now need the kind of professionalism that will enable us to serve our customers even better and more individually.”

The company is recruiting dozens of new digital channel and betting professionals over the coming year.

“We need more expertise for Veikkaus that will make us even stronger and more competitive in the new market situation. We are also looking beyond Finland’s borders. According to current estimates, more than 30 new positions will open by next summer. We want to be strong, growing and profitable in the future,” Nordlund said.

The Parliament intends to have the new Gambling Act passed by the end of 2025. When the law comes into force, it will open up the opportunity for other gambling companies, in addition to Veikkaus, to apply for, for example, sports betting and online casino licenses in the Finnish market. According to the current estimate, other gambling companies could also start operating with a license in Finland during 2027.

Lottery games, cardboard tickets and physical slot machines will remain exclusive to Veikkaus in the future.

The post Veikkaus Renews its Betting and Online Casino Operations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.