39th SOCCER TOURNAMENT HQ JFC 2019 - REPORT

As always, the event started with the Delegations’ Cup. A total of 17 teams competed in two groups, with only three ‘purebred’ teams from the nations deployed at Brunssum participating: the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany. In the preliminary round, the group winners were determined by round robin play. In Group 1, it was quite obvious that it would be a close race right from the start. Since the three first-ranked teams had 21 points each in their account, the goal difference had to decide which teams would be qualified for the semi-finals. With a difference of 17 goals, the team from Geilenkirchen Airbase took first place, followed by SHAPE with a goal difference of 15-4. The Brunssum / Landgraaf police had to settle with the third place as their goal difference was plus 6.
Despite being supported by Ingo Anderbrügge, who had won the UEFA Cup with FC Schalke 04 in 1997 and had scored in the final against Milano, the German team did not make the leap into the semi-finals, although the “royal blue legend” scored twice with his legendary "left hammer". Thanks again to Ingo! However, he should not be the only “Schalker Knappe” ennobling this tournament...

In the second Group, the race for the first two places was also exciting. In the end, last year's winners, the 2 German Medical Regiment "Westerwald", with 18 points, and the Multinational Corps North-East team from Szczecin, who beat Italy by 7-0 (which was also the highest result of the tournament), managed to qualify for the last four to go.

In the semi-finals, the "SHAPEians" celebrated a 1-0 win against the medics, and the kickers of the Multinational Corps Northeast won by 3-1 against Eindhoven Airbase.

Thus, from a Brunssum point of view, the final was a very interesting constellation: a team from the superior headquarters playing a team from the subordinate level.

After a balanced initial phase, Szczecin could gain the upper hand with increasing progress to finally win by 3-1 and, thus, the title. What was certainly decisive for the tournament victory was the performance of Karol Tkaczuk, who also earned the trophy of the best scorer with altogether 15 scores. The long journey from Szczecin had definitely been worthwhile. Serdeczne gratulacje, see you in 2020! In the small final, the Eindhoven Airbase team prevailed on penalties against the Westerwald Kickers (5-4). The Fairness Cup went to the Linnich Castlegate Wizards.

Clear conditions then in the two semi-finals: Fortuna 54 (1) succeeded while still keeping a clean sheet with a 5-0 against the sister team; Aachen, meanwhile in well-known form, also prevailed clearly by 3-0 against the NATO ladies. In the match for third place, Fortuna 54 (2), back to old strength, defeated the NATO ball artists with a safe 2-0. In a contested but fair final, it looked like a downfall of the favourite for quite a long time. The Allstars had to deal with the unfamiliar situation of lagging behind but were then able to turn the game and win the trophy for a fourth consecutive time after a 2-1 victory. Nevertheless, the team should not rest on its laurels for too long; the young ladies from our neighbouring town Sittard have had a great success ranking second and third – and they will be back in 2020!

The best female scorer was Jolyn Sneyders from Fortuna Sittard (1), the Fair-Play Cup was handed over to the women from "oranje" lions. 

Following the charity character of this event, the organizers were happy to present three donations. Like in previous years, the first donation was presented to Basissport Limburg, an organization that enables people with disabilities to participate in sports activities. The second donation was given to a member of the JFCBS Headquarters: one year ago, this staff member had learned about his son being diagnosed with a rare genetic disease with only a hundred cases listed worldwide. The third donation went to a German organization, the Bundeswehrsozialwerk, which takes care of members of the German Armed Forces and their families in need of support. We all know that those donations were very small ones; but at the same time, we hope that the money will be beneficial for each of the recipients in order to continue with their efforts.

After the symbolic cheques were presented by Colonel Thiermann, all participants shared a moment of silence for reflection.

Afterwards, the welcome party started. DJ Carsten was hereby honoured for his 15-year commitment and everybody celebrated him extensively. After a brief warm-up, Carsten handed over the microphone to the live act of the tournament, Susal. The self-proclaimed “party witch” lived up to her name, turned the shelter into a madhouse, and created an extraordinary atmosphere and mood: after three minutes, everybody was dancing both on the floor and on the tables. The celebration lasted until the early morning hours.

In two semi-finals rich in variety and quick combinations with plenty of chances to score, the “Loggis from Lower Franconia” first defeated the Demagogos 2-0. Then, with cult player Roel Brouwers (Borussia Mönchengladbach) watching the match, the team from the Hanseatic city beat the Westerwald Kickers by 2-1. After this, in the small final, the medics secured the third place with a 2-0 and, once again, proved that the Westerwald has great kickers. In the scorching final, an exciting game going back and forth, the logisticians defeated the team from the Hanseatic city 4-2 – also thanks to the Youngsters’ Cup’s top scorer, Alexander Bambach (8 goals). The Fair-Play Cup was presented to the team from Geilenkirchen.

The two highly exciting semi-finals were both decided by a one-goal lead. The “Immelmen” prevailed 2-1 against the Corps; the kickers from Daun won their game by 1-0 against Aachen. After the training centre had won the small final clearly by 4-1, the team from Daun could successfully defend last year’s title after a 3-0 over the German-Netherlands Corps. Stephan Rüttgers was the best scorer and the Fair-Play Cup went to the Erfurt Team 383.

Between the two finals of the Youngsters` and Oldies` Cup, another highlight of the tournament took place. A celebrity team composed of former Dutch Eredivisie and German Bundesliga players played a selection of tournament participants from the two Friday competitions. On the side of the celebrity team, the organizer was able to present famous players like Henri Heeren, “Mister Roda” Geradus "Ger" Senden, Sascha Dum, Marco van Hoogdalem and “Mister Bicycle Kick” Klaus Fischer.

FIFA referee legend Walter Eschweiler, who gave us excellent support once again this year and who was consequently granted the honorary membership of the German National Team (GNT), led the match confidently and in his inimitable way, even with a few special treats for the spectators. In a varied encounter with many goal-scoring opportunities, the celebrity team was able to prevail with 4-2. Afterwards, all players were available for photos and discussions, which was a very nice gesture.