Solna to host stars of the future

Football fans will be watching potential stars of tomorrow early this summer when the latest edition of the Lennart Johansson Academy Trophy takes place in Solna, Sweden from 30 May to 1 June.

The competition is named after UEFA's Honorary President Lennart Johansson, who served as UEFA President between 1990 and 2007, and is organised by the Swedish club AIK Solna's youth academy. Youth sides from Europe and beyond have been invited to take part in this season's competition.

The Lennart Johansson Academy Trophy was launched in 2011 to give Swedish football fans the opportunity to watch talented youth players in action. The tournament features three classes – boys born on 1 January 2000 or later; boys born on 1 January 2001 or later; and girls born on 1 January 2000 or later.

The following teams are taking part in this year's event:

Boys 2001: AIK Solna (Sweden), FC København (Denmark), SK Rapid Wien (Austria), Stabæk Fotball (Norway), FC Honka Espoo (Finland), Liverpool FC (England), SK Slavia Praha (Czech Republic), SV Werder Bremen (Germany).

Boys 2000: AIK Solna (Sweden), FC København (Denmark), PAOK FC (Greece), Käpylän Pallo (Finland), FK Fyllingsdalen (Norway), FC Barcelona (Spain). Mexico (national team), Paris Saint-Germain (France).

Girls 2000: AIK Solna (Sweden), Olympique Lyonnais (France), PK-35 Vantaa (Finland), Akershus FK (Norway), Slammers FC (USA), FC TPS Turku (Finland), FC Twente (Netherlands), Madrid Club de Fútbol Femenino (Spain).

Matches are eleven-a-side over two halves of 25 minutes each, and the competition is played in accordance with the applicable sections of the FIFA and Swedish Football Association rules. Clubs must be a member of their FIFA-affiliated national association. Teams in each category will be divided into two groups of four where all the teams meet in a round-robin series, and positions are decided by points. All of the teams then take part in play-off matches according to their group positions.

The final features the winners of the two play-offs between first-placed teams and runners-up in each group. Further play-offs for final positions in the tournament are also scheduled. It means that all the teams play five matches – three group matches and two play-offs.

For further details from the tournament organisers, email Riki Simic: riki.simic@aik.se