94 teams from the Netherlands and abroad will compete this weekend in Meppel for the Drenthe Cup. Football is central for the youth teams from nine different countries, but entertainment is also provided off the field.
The tournament is played on the fields of MSC and Alcides, the organizing associations that also participate in the Drenthe Cup. Teams from eight countries from all over Europe travel to Meppel. In addition to many German teams, there are teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Belgium, France, England, Wales and of course the Netherlands.
The fact that teams from so many countries participate in the Drenthe Cup every year says something about the good reputation of the tournament. “We ourselves are sometimes surprised about the success,” says Henk Veenema, chairman of Euro Youth Football Meppel and organizer of the Drenthe Cup. “A few years ago at the anniversary edition, we received a lot of good news at a conference in Germany that our tournament has a good reputation because many foreign teams participate.”
Veenema knows the secret behind the success. “The accommodation is considered very good, the fields are usually in good condition. Without giving ourselves too many pats on the back: the tournament is always rock solid.”
The program off the field also scores. “We always organize a disco for the youngest youth,” says Veenema. “We always organize something for the older youth, but they also mainly do their own thing.”
The Drenthe Cup is not only important for football in the region: the tournament is also really important for Meppel. “The older youth make full use of the catering industry. Everything is very compact, you can walk from the sports park to the center in no time, which is also a big advantage,” says Veenema. “Many foreign teams get to know Meppel and the region and see what the city and surroundings have to offer.” This year the teams will stay in parks in Kampen and Wijhe.
In recent years, the international tournament has been canceled due to corona. “Last year there were many uncertainties for a long time,” says Veenema. “The Netherlands was sometimes partially closed, we did not know whether foreign teams would come to the Netherlands. Then we decided at the end of January not to let the tournament take place.”
Chairman Veenema was very disappointed. “In hindsight it might have been possible. But that is why we are extra happy this year that the Drenthe Cup can take place again. We are looking forward to it.”
On Friday afternoon, the teams arrived at Ezinge sports park, after which they received information about the tournament and their stay. There are teams in different age categories ranging from under-12 to under-19. The first matches of the tournament start this morning. There is also plenty of football on Sundays, later in the day the award ceremony is at sports park Ezinge. The matches are free to attend.