Gothia Cup · Celebrate
Four Teams Recognized for Their Fair Play Efforts at Gothia Cup
Respect, care, and team spirit were at the forefront as four teams were awarded the Fair Play Trophy at Gothia Cup. - It's about playing hard but still fairly, says Humberto Daniel Lira Araujo.
At Gothia Cup, football is about more than just results. The Fair Play Trophy highlights teams that show respect for opponents, referees, and the game, and contribute to a positive experience for everyone on and off the field. Through Celebrate the Game, the values that make the tournament a meeting place for players from all over the world to come together through football are recognized. This year's winners are Fortune FC Boys 16, Academy Elite, Lerum IS Girls 18, and IFK Göteborg Boys 17E.
Fortune FC Boys 16 was the first to receive this year's Fair Play Award. The team has demonstrated a strong attitude during Gothia Cup, combining a competitive spirit with respect and humility. Despite success on the pitch, they have continued to treat opponents, referees, and all individuals involved with respect.
Academy Elite was awarded this year's second Fair Play Award after exhibiting sportsmanlike behavior throughout the tournament. The team has assisted opponents during injuries, shown appreciation after matches, and contributed to a positive atmosphere around their games. For Humberto Daniel Lira Araujo, fair play means being able to compete hard while treating each other correctly.
– It's fun to win. We didn't know we would win, but we believe we won because we played hard and still played fairly, says Humberto Daniel Lira Araujo from Academy Elite.
He highlights a match against a Norwegian team as an example of what fair play means to the team.
– They played hard against us and we still have bruises, but they were good to us and we were good to them off the pitch. That’s fair play, that’s football, he says.
Lerum IS Girls 18 received this year's third Fair Play Award. The team has played with high intensity but also shown respect for opponents, referees, and the rules of the game. Their way of acting demonstrates the importance of competing with both commitment and integrity.
IFK Göteborg Boys 17E received this year's fourth Fair Play Award after a situation in the match against Beyond Limits B17E. When several players on the opposing team were affected by the heat and lacked water, IFK Göteborg chose to share their own water bottles.
This year's four winners showcase in different ways what Celebrate the Game is all about – that football is played with passion, but always with respect for those around it.
