UEFA-backed grassroots event unites cultures
Thursday 4 June 2009
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Ajax overcame Dinamo Zagreb on penalties in the final (©B.Klima/H.Kauper)
A UEFA-backed tournament in Germany and Czech Republic has shown once more how football can bring together children of different cultures and languages in an atmosphere of peace.
250 children
The Mini-EURO 2009 tournament gathered together 250 children from 12 nations, and from renowned clubs such as Manchester United FC, AC Milan, AFC Ajax, FC Bayern München, FC Porto, FC Lokomotiv Moskva and FK Crvena Zvezda. This year was special because the event celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain. The Mini-EURO sends out a clear signal for peace, tolerance and respect. Children from throughout Europe measure themselves against each other in sporting terms, and make friends across borders.
Mini-EURO 2009
The Mini–EURO 2009 tournament was organised by the Deutsch-Tschechische Fussballschule (DTFS), a project aiming to nurture talented young footballers across national boundaries, and was staged in Frantiskovy Lazne (Czech Republic) and Rehau (Germany). Players from Germany, Czech Republic and other countries came together in one team – Team Europe – and had considerable success against illustrious opponents such as Porto, Bayern and Hamburger SV.
Ajax worthy winners
As the battle for the title reached an exciting climax, around 3,500 spectators in Rehau and Frantiskovy Lazne witnessed top-class football from the youngsters. The third-place play-off saw Manchester United beat Milan 2-0, while the final itself went to a penalty shoot-out in which Ajax defeated NK Dinamo Zagreb 4-3.
Coach exchanges and summer camps
Traditionally, the Mini-EURO is not just about football. The championship is also a platform for dialogue between children, coaches and fans from East and West. The youngsters and supporters exchange souvenirs, while the coaches nurture contact with each other and swap information on youth work in other countries. The summer will see some clubs intensify their work together in intercultural camps.
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