Hallenkick: “It’s getting more and more difficult”

2023-10-09 04:20:00

LINZ. For decades, the Baumit Junior Indoor Cup, organized by the regional league team Union Esternberg, has been one of the largest indoor tournaments for young talent in Austria. The 31st edition (from December 28th to 30th, 2023 and from January 4th to 6th, 2024) is also impressive. The European football elite will meet again, especially at the traditional U15 event on January 6th, 2024, in the Schärdinger district sports hall:

In addition to defending champions Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, Hertha BSC and VfB Stuttgart are also at the start from Germany. There are other guests from abroad: FC Utrecht from the Netherlands, the Swiss club Winterthur and the Czech club Slavia Prague. The field of participants is rounded off with top domestic teams such as the local heroes Ried and LASK or Sturm Graz and Austria Vienna. Tournament organizer Hannes Fesel still has an ace up his sleeve: “A top club from England will also come back. But we don’t want to reveal who that will be yet.” Manchester United came to the Innviertel for the 30th anniversary edition – two clubs from the island, Liverpool and Tottenham, were also guests. Unfortunately, one wish did not come true – a team from the Italian Serie A: “I was in contact with Atalanta Bergamo for a long time. Getting the Italians into the hall is not easy.”

This is how it works against BVB & Co

In general, it is becoming more difficult every year to get teams interested in indoor football: “Many clubs take a break during the Christmas season, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to convince clubs to play indoors.” Which is why the tournament is only being played on six days this year: “We don’t need any more records,” says Fesel.

But one thing remains the same – and it also arouses the desires of some Upper Austrian teams. Fesel: “For the U15 event, local teams can qualify again in three preliminary round groups. The smaller clubs should also be able to play against real top teams. That is also well received. We could have made two more preliminary round groups .”

You can find more information at: www.esternberg.com. Registration under: [email protected]