Brussels, 12/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - With the whistle about to blow to start the football World Cup finals on Thursday 12 June, Commissioner for Sport Androulla Vassiliou provided an encouraging word to the European teams: “This is the moment that all the players and millions of football fans across the planet have been waiting for. I am sure that we are in for a thrilling tournament and I hope that the World Cup trophy will be coming home to Europe again. I wish all the European teams the best of luck and that the fans travelling to Brazil also have a great and safe tournament”. Teams from ten member states are taking part: Croatia, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, England, Italy, France, Germany, Portugal and Belgium. In addition to Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia, members of UEFA. (IL)