German Street Cup unites Atlanta youth

The fourth edition of the German Street Cup was held on November 18th at the Atlanta International School. This annual community soccer tournament is held by Soccer in the Streets in partnership with the German Consulate General Atlanta and the German Cultural Center (Goethe Zentrum Atlanta).

Turnout increased from previous years, with nearly 50 participants. These participants were divided into the Junior (U11) and Senior (U16) divisions. Each team was required to have at least one German speaking player. Each player was given an official German Street Cup t-shirt and placed on a team. Teams were assigned so as to give each player an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

In the Senior Division the teams were Bayern Munich (Peach), FC Barcelona (Red), Manchester United (Blue), and Real Madrid (Green). The Junior Division decided to stick with the classic Blue, Green, and Red team monikers. Teams played two 10 minute periods (separated by a brief halftime) to determine who would be crowned German Street Cup Champions at the end of the day.

Initial hesitance and shyness waned and was replaced with chemistry as the first games of the afternoon kicked off. Parents eagerly looked on from the stands as their children starred on the fields as games were played. On Field 1, frustration set in for Real Madrid as failure to communicate lead to a disappointing loss to FC Barcelona. Meanwhile on the adjacent field, there was a barnburner between Bayern Munich and Manchester United, with United narrowly escaping in an 8-7 thriller. On the U11 field, Green and Blue started with the first match in the Junior Division. While the Blue team got off to a hot start, the Green team exhibited poise beyond their years with excellent crosses and stellar defense to come away with the victory.

At the end of the day, Manchester United emerged victorious from the Senior Division; while the Green team took top honors in the Junior Division. At the end of the day sportsmanship reigned supreme, as Real Madrid (Green) from the Senior Division and the Blue team of the Junior Division were honored with the Fair Play Award. The Champions along with the Fair Play Award winners all received trophies as well as authentic German National Team gear. As the festivities drew to a conclusion, all in attendance said that the German Street Cup was extremely enjoyable and “a success!” or as they say in German,“Ein Erfolg!”

by Andrew Asemota