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MUMBAI: The BDO Men?s Champions Challenge 1 is organized every two years, with the winner of each edition qualifying for the Champions Trophy the following year. So the winner of the 2009 Champions Challenge in Salta will play the 2010 Champions Trophy, in Monchengladbach, Germany. Ten Sports brings you live action from both the semi finals , the 3rd and 4th position match and the final. (please check schedule)
The tournament got underway on December 6th, 2009, in the northern Argentinean city of Salta. 8 teams, ranked between 7th and 15th in the world are participating in this event. The Champions Challenge was created by the FIH (International Hockey Federation) in 2001 and features the 8 teams just behind the elite top six who took part in the recently concluded Champions Trophy that was won by world No 2 Australia.
Pakistan, 7th in the world, is the top ranking team in the tournament. Coached by former goalkeeper Shahid Ali Khan, Pakistan appear solid all around. Powered by the legendary Sohail Abbas ? who reached a world-record 300 goals in the team?s first game against Canada ? the sub-continental giants are the favourites to win the title.
On the other hand, India, the hosts of the 2010 World Cup will be hoping to turn in a good performance with coach Jose Brasa?s first major tournament in charge. It?s an event where they could pull up their ranking from their current 12th position.
The other teams in the fray are hosts Argentina, New Zealand, Canada, Belgium, South Africa and China.
