The clock is ticking and the biggest sporting event of the CoE’s calendar: the 2022 edition of the Inter-services Football Tournament is almost upon us! A total number of 12 teams from all parts of the Organisation have signed up for a day of sport, fun, food and drinks. 

Some of the teams could still do with reinforcements, so if you want to participate and have not yet found a team please contact eoghan.kelly@coe.int or jochen.pauwels@edqm.eu and we will find a team for you!

The tournament is taking place at Wacken l'Ill des Sports (very close to the Court). The first match kicks off at 10.00 am (it is recommended to be there at 9.30 am), there will be a lunch break from about 12.20 to 2.00 pm and the champion will be crowned at about 5:30 pm.

All essential information can be found on the tournament’s website which will be up and running next week (link to follow). This includes the Rules, the results of the draw, authorised footwear and equipment as well as available facilities.  

As in the previous tournament editions, in addition to the cups for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place there will be a special Sasha Gerasimenko Fair Play Cup awarded to the team and their supporters who best embody a joyful spirit and fair play.  

But the day is not only about football. There will be plenty of other activities and delicious food and drinks will be sold throughout the day by different local vendors (card payment normally possible, but recommended to also bring cash). There will also be activities for kids, the highlight this year being a bouncy castle as well as face painting! Everything is planned to keep young and old busy.

The event is also being dedicated to victims of the war in Ukraine, and so there will be several Ukraine-related charity activities, including a charity match during the lunch break, possible attendance of a Ukrainian sporting celebrity, and a stand of the local charity PromoUkraïna.

Last but not least, a big thank you to ASCE and Amicale of the Council of Europe for making it possible to organise the event!