The first matchday of EUROPEADA 2024 was already full of drama, surprises and expected results, some of them had a spectacularly high score.
The women from South Tyrol, who also won the 2016 title, lived up to their role as favourites and won 6:1 against Nordschleswig in Tønder, while Nordfriesland defeated the players from Las Rumantschas from Switzerland, by one goal. Both teams can be expected to make it through to the final on 6 July.
In the men's competition, Sydslesvig in Schleswig/Slesvig underlined their title ambitions with a clear 9:0 win against Pobeda, the Bulgarian minority in Romania.
Ten goals were scored in the match between the Sorbs, Serbske Mustwo, and the Sinti and Roma from Romania in a 9:1 victory for the former. The clear 5:0 victory of FC DFK Oberschlesien, the German minority in Poland, against DZSCR, the Czechs and Slovaks in Romania, was also remarkable.
The match between the neighboring minorities from the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia was full of drama. The Slovenians initially led 2:0 against the Friulian team in a high-class match in Flensburg. However, newcomers Friúl turned the game around, surprising everyone, and eventually won 4:2. The other come-from-behind victory belongs to the Hungarians from Romania, who beat the Ungarndeutschen 3:2. The only scoreless game of the day was disputed by Nordschleswig and Ils Rumantschs.
Two other results, however, seem rather unbelievable: the 11:0 of the North Frisians, Nordfraschlönj, against FC Lusérn, the Cimbrians in Italy, or even more so the 24:0 of the Serbs in Croatia against FC Pomak, a team that was only put together just before EUROPEADA. At the same time, the result is one of the highest victories by a team in the previous editions of EUROPEADA since 2008.
On Monday, the men from South Tyrol, uninterrupted winners of the tournaments since 2008, will make their first appearance at 5.30 pm in Tønder/Tondern against the representatives of the German minority in North Schleswig. South Tyrol's women will also be looking to consolidate their excellent starting position in the second and final group match against Upper Silesia. The defending champions from Team Koroška/Carinthia will play their first match in Bredstedt/Bräist against Las Rumantschas.
In the men's tournament, Sydslesvig will play Armânamea at DGF Flensburg at 10.45 am. Many spectators are expected to attend the home game, including at least 1500 registered schoolchildren. The match between Serbske Mustwo and DZSCR is also worth watching.
A live stream of all matches will be available on EUROPEADA.eu.
The official match results, standings and more can be found on the official EUROPEADA website at europeada.eu.
In addition to the matches, the organisers will be offering cultural events:
11.00 - 15.00 Open House at FUEN Headquarters, Schiffbrücke 42, Flensburg
12.00 Presentation by Gösta Toft, FUEN Vice President
18.00 “Kicken wie ein Mädchen”
Documentary film, Knivsberg, Haderslevvej 484, 6230 Rødekro, Denmark
21.00 EUROPEADA Café
Drinks, hygge and public viewing at Knivsberg, Denmark
A feature article worth reading on our website: 'Yesterday enemies, today friends - public viewing at Flensborghus' by Ralf Lorenzen, who got caught up in the atmosphere of Saturday’s public viewing of the European Championship round of 16 match between Germany and Denmark at Flensborghus.
Finally, the photo of the day (Sydslesvig - Pobeda in Schleswig. Foto: EUROPEADA/Frank Molter)
All photo and video material provided by EUROPEADA can be found via this link in the press section of our website: