Max O Leary and Tom Owen Evans recently joined BK Skjold from Denmark in the world's biggest youth football tournament inSweden, the Gothia Cup.  It's an experience worth sharing.

Over the years, there has been a gradual feeling of apathy and slight loathing towards the summer 6-a-side tournaments, and so it was a complete shock to take part in the Gothia Cup which was simply...incredible.

Alan Shearer, Xabi Alonso, Andrea Pirlo, Julio Baptista are just some of the professional players who have attended the tournament as boys and no doubt they will not be the last.  This year 50,000 people from 61 different nations descended on Gothenburg to participate in 5000 matches in which 22,000 goals are scored on average annually.  The opening ceremony in the main stadium was exciting with music, a parading of the flags, fireworks and guest appearances from various celebrities; right from the word go, you knew that you were part of something special here.

Staying in a school with another 37 teams was not exactly my ideal form off accommodation, but actually once again, there was surprise.  The efficiency of the organisation ensured that everyone had what they needed to enjoy the week.  The kids mixed, boys and girls, young and old; all different nations bouncing off each other under the same roof - unbelievable cultural event like no other.

The football was tough, and that was just finding the various grounds on the tram system!  Although there was a central venue, games were played right acrss the city which gave us ample chance to explore the area.

The boys played well and won all their group games by the solitary goal to nil.  Without going into a high gear, the BK Skjold team showed intelligence and enough athletic ability to prove themselves worthy group winners.  Losing in the next round was a huge disappointment.  0-0 after full time owing to varuious missed chances in front of goal, it came down to penalties which they eventually lost 6-5.  Gutted, it seemed the English penalty curse had hit the Danish now too.  Nevermind, still plenty of football to watch, not to mention the visit to the theme park to enjoy.   

The Gothia cup holds a competition in 20 remote countries preceding the main tournament in Gothenburg, the winners of which are invited free of charge to come to Sweden.  What this means is that you have some of teh best teams from all over the world which you would never normally get the chance to play or see.  What an eye opener!  There were kids from Uganda, Zambia, Brazil, Iraq, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Iceland, Congo, Bolivia, Azerbadjan, Armenia...the list goes on.  Indeed, I have never seen such talent at 11 years old as seen from the teams from Uganda, and the Zambian warm up was pure entertainment in itself.

Better start saving for next year...