ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- The finals of the 2012 Caribbean Cup open on Friday in Antigua and Barbuda with the region's crown and four tickets to next year's CONCACAF Gold Cup on offer for the eight participants.
Group A will get the festivities started with a doubleheader at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St. John's. In the opener, Haiti faces Trinidad & Tobago, followed by an encounter between the host and the Dominican Republic.
On Saturday, Group B kicks-off at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound with another twin bill. First, Martinique takes-on Cuba and, then, two-time defending champion Jamaica meets French Guyana.
This year marks the 18th edition of the Caribbean Cup, a competition that has acted on many occasions as a Gold Cup qualifier, as well as a stand-alone regional championship.
Trinidad & Tobago has captured the trophy eight times, but not since defeating Haiti 3-0 in the 2001 final. Jamaica is a five-time champion, while Martinique and Haiti have tasted glory once each. There was no champion in either 1990 or 2003.
CONCACAF.com will provide Caribbean Cup coverage from the first kick to the final whistle.
For a Caribbean Cup schedule, click here.
Caribbean Cup Finals - A Quick Glance
1989
Host: Barbados
Champion: Trinidad & Tobago
1990
Host: Trinidad & Tobago
Champion: no champion
1991
Host: Jamaica
Champion: Jamaica
1992
Host: Trinidad & Tobago
Champion: Trinidad & Tobago
1993
Host: Jamaica
Champion: Martinique
1994
Host: Trinidad & Tobago
Champion: Trinidad & Tobago
1995
Host: Cayman Islands, Jamaica
Champion: Trinidad & Tobago
1996
Host: Trinidad & Tobago
Champion: Trinidad & Tobago
1997
Host: Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis
Champion: Trinidad & Tobago
1998
Host: Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago
Champion: Jamaica
1999
Host: Trinidad & Tobago
Champion: Trinidad & Tobago
2001
Host: Trinidad & Tobago
Champion: Trinidad & Tobago
2003
Host: Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago
Champion: no champion (two separate final round groups)
2005
Host: Barbados
Champion: Jamaica
2007
Host: Trinidad & Tobago
Champion: Haiti
2008
Host: Jamaica
Champion: Jamaica
2010
Host: Martinique
Champion: Jamaica
