Hungary ready for festival of football
Thursday, June 19, 2014
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The UEFA European Under-19 Championship will be "a wonderful, exciting competition" according to UEFA's Youth and Amateur Football Committee chairman Jim Boyce.
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The 14th UEFA European Under-19 Championship will be a chance to "take home some everlasting memories."
Jim Boyce, chairman of UEFA's Youth and Amateur Football Committee, helped conduct the draw in Felcsut and was quick to thank all those involved in the organisation of the tournament in July before wishing the participating teams the best of luck. "Tonight is all about the teams who have qualified for these finals," he said. "Congratulations to all the countries here; we have some of the smaller and some of the larger countries and it is this which will make for a wonderful, exciting competition.
"I have said many times that football is a sport that brings people together," added Boyce. "Here once again we will see lads who would probably never have dreamt of having the opportunity of playing football against each other from various countries, the chance of meeting new friends. There can only be one winner, but the most important thing is that the young players who are coming here are going to look back having made many new friendships and take home some everlasting memories of the beautiful country of Hungary. I'm sure it will be a marvellous tournament."
Sándor Berzi, vice-president of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) and vice chairman of UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body, talked of the excitement the finals will generate among fans. "It is a cause of celebration for the whole of the Hungarian football community that the best youth players of Europe's football family will be here; players who, in the near future, will be the next stars of the game. We will be happy to hear from them later on in their careers."
Tournament ambassador Kálmán Mészöly was equally sure the spectacle will excite Hungarian spectators, who have not seen a major UEFA men's tournament since the 1990 European U18 Championship. "For the fans I can promise exciting, great matches with new stars and lots of goals – and as a host, let me say I hope for the best results for the Hungarian team."
