Mini-EM in the Oberaue

3000 young footballers compete at the "SaaleCup Jena" from June 14 to June 16, 2024

For the second time, the soccer department of SV Schott is once again organizing the "SaaleCup Jena" this summer. From 14 to 16 June, youth teams from all over Germany and beyond will travel to Jena to compete in the Oberaue sports center.

"The great success of the SaaleCup 2023 made it an easy decision for us to hold the tournament again in 2024," says Wolfgang Grüneberg-Lemke from SV Schott Jena. The club organizes the tournament in cooperation with "Ballfreunde GmbH".

Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche has taken over the patronage: "I am delighted that Jena will once again be hosting so many enthusiastic athletes and their families and wish all participants maximum sporting success."

3000 participants - from all federal states and far beyond

The SaaleCup is aimed at footballers born between 2018 and 2009 - i.e. teams from U7 to U15. From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, around 3,000 participants will compete on 13 pitches in the Oberaue to determine the best in their age group. "With currently 140 teams, we have a new participation record," says Grüneberg-Lemke. Teams from almost every German state are taking part, with the team with the longest journey coming from South Africa. All ten SV SCHOTT junior teams - from U7 to U15 - will also be competing. This year, 26 referees from the Saale-Orla football district will be on hand to referee the tournament. The KIJ groundsmen and greenkeepers will ensure the excellent quality of all the tournament pitches at the Oberaue sports center.

Mini-EM: Each team represents a different country

In keeping with the upcoming European Championships, the SaaleCup 2024 will be held under the motto "Mini European Championships". Each team in each age group will represent a European Championship country and will also be allowed to bring corresponding jerseys. A flag of the respective country will be provided for the fans on the sidelines.

Campsites, classrooms, hotels - a wide range of accommodation options

"Of course, our experience from 2023 will be very helpful in planning accommodation and catering for all guests," says Grüneberg-Lemke. This year, the pitch in the Oberaue will once again be converted into a campsite so that up to 700 guests can spend the night in their tents. As an extra service, a large charging station will be provided for all mobile devices. Schools in the city of Jena are making classrooms available for around 600 guests to stay overnight, while the municipal real estate company Kommunale Immobilien Jena (KIJ) has reserved special sports halls. "Many thanks to Carl-Zeiss-Gymnasium, GMS Wenigenjena and UniverSaale for their fantastic support," says Grüneberg-Lemke. All available youth hostel and hotel places in Jena and Weimar have been reserved for other participants. The teams themselves decide in advance which accommodation option they want to use.

1600 portions of hot meals per day

In order to meet the half-board requirements of most teams, the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) Jena will be cooking hot meals on Friday and Saturday evenings - around 1600 portions per day. At three locations, the "ball friends" prepare breakfast for around 1000 guests on Saturday and Sunday.

Around 60 volunteers from SV SCHOTT will take care of the physical well-being of all guests with bratwurst, cool drinks, coffee, cakes, crepes and smoothies. The families of all SV SCHOTT youth teams will bake their own cakes for the large cake buffet. In addition, Lelek Jena, Roelofs Event and the Steffenhagen butcher's shop will be on hand with their special offers. New this year is the Büchner family's ice cream van from Stadtroda.

Bonus: free entry to the outdoor pools and photo shoot

The city of Jena will cover admission to the Südbad and Ostbad pools for all participants on Saturday. "The Schleichersee in particular, as a direct neighbor of the Oberaue sports center, will certainly be the main attraction between or after the tournament rounds," says Grüneberg-Lemke.

On Sunday, there will be a free photo shoot with photographer Kristin Döpel-Rabe. Each team or even individual participants can then have themselves professionally "flashed" in front of a specially prepared soccer goal.

Highlight: Opening match of the European Football Championship

On Friday evening, a special highlight for the young athletes is on the program: various lounges will be set up on the Oberaue grounds, where the opening game of the European Football Championship can be watched live on screens and large screens.

Parking information:

The parking lot at the Sportforum and the Roland-Ducke-Weg parking lot can only be used during the tournament with "Participants" parking tickets. Access to the Oberaue is only possible with an "Organization" parking ticket.