Eleven

The episode begins with the inception of ELEVEN, the inspiration (Didier Drogba's story in the Ivory Coast) behind the series, and what it sets out to achieve. As soon as the goals have been set by U.S. soccer legend and Eleven Campaign Ambassador Carli Lloyd, the journey begins in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil a few days before the 2014 World Cup. There, we meet 11-year-old Renatinho, the first "signing" of the Eleven team. From the lively favelas, we travel straight to cosmopolitan Copenhagen, Denmark, where Julie joins the journey and shares her story. Japan, Greece, USA, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, Egypt, the UK, and Rwanda, follow next. The experiment gathers momentum, and the team is taking shape, as we're introduced to our young footballers during a regular school day. While the diversity is obvious, common patterns begin to emerge between the stories of the 11-year-olds, quickly cultivating a sense of unity. However, our efforts to secure an event and venue for our big game remain elusive.

"Soccer is a beautiful masterpiece. Just that round ball alone unites so many different people". The words of U.S. soccer star Carli Lloyd set the scene as we dive deeper in the everyday lives of our newfound team. We travel to one of the most remote townships in the world, Robinson River, Australia, an indigenous working cattle station, Robinson River is home to just 285 residents including 11-year-old Tremaine. While he has never watched a professional soccer game before, Tremaine still dreams of playing one day in a FIFA World Cup. We then return to Rio de Janeiro where it becomes clear that Renatinho's family's prospects for a better future depend entirely on his sporting achievements. A tremendous burden to carry for a young man of his age. As our journey continues in New Orleans, Kigali and Essex, we learn more about the stereotypes and difficulties female players have to overcome to play football. The perception around the women's game is changing but many obstacles remain. As the kids open their homes and hearts for us, we discover more about their routines and cultural backgrounds. The team is finally taking shape and we're now ready for the next chapter as soon as an event and location can be secured. Then, an unexpected call from Switzerland sets a plan in motion.

After years of futile efforts to find a venue, a phone call from Switzerland presents a fantastic opportunity for the team. Team Eleven will play at the Stade de Genéve, prior to the UEFA and UN Match for Solidarity on April 21st, 2018. However, assembling Team Eleven proves to be a tall order. Four of the kids can't make the trip to Switzerland. There is a venue and a date, but not a full team. There is a desperate need for some last-minute replacements. Familiar faces begin to arrive in Geneva at the airport. Lola, Julie, Dimitris, Darian, Mario and Renatinho and thankfully they are not alone. Last minute additions saved the day,

With the big match only a few days away, the training intensifies. Coach Antonis' main focus is on teamwork and the inherent trust built within the squad so they can perform as a single unit. During a visit to the research center CERN, the group learns that sometimes when many small things collide, we create something new, something bigger. Back at the training ground, we learn more about Kyle from Australia, Nina from France as well as Ilies from Tunisia, who is replacing Ammar as the squad's goalie. Being part of a mixed-gender team could present challenges, but that sentiment doesn't reflect on our young players who cherish this dynamic opportunity. However, there is still some work to be done in order to make everyone feel like an integral part of the team. The next day, on a visit to the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, we reveal some of our players' future aspirations and see how much they have evolved from when they were 11 years old. On the eve of the big game, the group has a short symbolic visit to the United Nations and then decides on their team leader, a captain. The Eleven team is now ready. It's finally game day. People from all over Switzerland and neighboring countries arrive in Geneva for the big event. Back at the hotel where the group resides, Coach Antonis outlines everyone's position and roles while giving a final team pep-talk. "You need to throw out your fears. By the time you enter the pitch, you will be a hero, just to be there."

It's a sunny Saturday morning. The kids are in the minibuses and make their way to the stadium. The tension rises, as they reach their destination, the incredible Stade de Genève overwhelms them. In the locker room, Coach Antonis tries to remind them what all this has been about.

You can cut the tension with a knife, as the kids begin to realize their moment to shine is among them. However, this is not a feeling shared by our youngest player, Uniyah. As they stand in the tunnel, she takes in every moment and begins to recant one of her poetic verses. Her relaxed temperament seems to have a tremendous effect on the rest of the team.

On the pitch, the opening whistle blows. Team Eleven starts well but sadly misses a couple of opportunities. The opposition is better than expected and the local team proves that their skill set can outmatch our young talents.

At halftime, with several missed opportunities on both sides, the match remains level at 0-0. Quickly, into the second half, Team Eleven provides pressure with a strong offense. A couple of good chances and then, finally, a goal! "Eleven...Eleven" is heroically echoed throughout the stadium. In unison, Team Eleven players run to the camera and form the letter "A" with their fingers, celebrating their missing colleague Amar. Everyone is ecstatic, the kids are energized. But in the final play of the match, the opposition scores, bringing the match to 1-1. The final whistle blows and the match ends in a draw. The team is disappointed with their performance as they outplayed their opponents. The real disappointment, however, is the realization that their journey together will soon come to an end. They quickly shift from talking about Team Eleven and begin to focus on their newfound Eleven family, their shared experiences and what it meant to celebrate this precious time together.

After their match, Team Eleven takes to the stands to watch the Legends, Captained by Luis Figo and Ronaldinho. After the match, Team Eleven meets all of the Legends, an opportunity to get their favorite players to sign their jerseys and Eleven t-shirts. And of course, ensure that one gets signed by everyone for Amar. A full day and ultimately an unforgettable experience for all of the kids. That evening, Team Eleven, the coaches and parents take to the pitch in a final round of football fun, an emotional evening with promises to keep in touch and meet again in the future.

A few months later, a few of the team members talk about the effect of this experience in their lives. It quickly becomes clear, that the ELEVEN experiment worked. Unfortunately, this opportunity and the dream of participating remained out of grasp for one young footballer, Ammar from Cairo. "Why would you give him hope, if you can't deliver?" Ammar's father asks in a phone call. It is obvious that Ammar was discriminated against by Swiss authorities and that could leave a terrible mark on his psyche and emotional development, potentially giving up his dream of football. We have to fix this. Game on!

So, we went back to where we started. We reached out to Didier Drogba, our inspiration to start this journey and one of Ammar's favorite players, and brought him to Cairo. In a tearful surprise, Ammar is greeted by Drogba who inspires him to continue following his football dreams, and be a part of the Eleven family! Truly, an experience that Ammar will never forget. Football can unite the world!