July 28-August 1: The CEE Cup Football Tournament Returns to Prague

Between the end of July and beginning of August (28.7 – 1.8), the Cee cup will host its 11th edition, featuring the usual Czech clubs of Sparta and Slavia as well as other notable teams from around the world.

“We are glad that, despite the difficult economic situation, we will be able to organize the tournament again”, said Roberto De Blasio.

Over the past ten editions, an impressive number of top tier teams have participated; most recently, there was last year’s Brazilians of Palmeiras, who won the trophy for their third time in a row, but also the English of Aston Villa, the Ukrainians of Dynamo Kyiv and the Mexicans of Tigres have all graced us with their presence (to name but a few).

This year, the newly minted winners of the UEFA Conference League, West Ham United, will be returning to the CEE Cup, as well as the defending champions from Brazil, Palmeiras.

In addition to them, we also have the famous Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro, who notably produced players Vinício Junior and Paqueta. Last but not least, there will be the debut of Al Ain FC, the best team from the United Arab Emirates and a finalist of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2018 (against Real Madrid, 1:4), as they attempt to show the world the potential for football growth in the countries of their region.

“As per tradition, they will be joined by Sparta and Slavia”, De Blasio added. “It is an exceptional opportunity for players, coaches and fans to see the world’s future stars, in direct competition, with their own eyes”, said coaching ambassadors Jan Suchopárek and David Holoubek.

The current Czech representatives, Alex Král, Adam Hložek and, most recently, the winner of the CEE Cup Best Player award, Anthony Gordon.

Last year’s winner of the Goal NXGN award for the best player of the tournament, Thalys from Palmeiras, has been compared to Rivaldo and is already on the radar of elite clubs.

The matches of the basic groups will take place, as last year, in the Strahov area of Sparta from Friday to Sunday, while the matches for the final positions will take place the following Tuesday.

The final, which will be preceded by an event for the children, will be broadcast to the world again. The matches will be officiated by promising international referees, supported by the acclaimed Refex project, and the official tournament ball will be the adidas Oceaunz ball, prepared for the 023 Women’s World Cup final.

Last year, it was the Al-Rihla ball that was used, which was the same ball that was used for the World Cup that was subsequently played in Qatar.

The CEE Cup will certainly once again be the most important youth tournament of the Czech football summer.