A tournament more than just football

Read about what’s happening around the matches at Heden.

Gothia Cup is more than just football matches being played. Here, cultures from all corners of the world mix in the form of people, food, and languages. Despite coming from different places and not always understanding each other, there is at least one common factor: the love of football, which is what binds us together.

On the fourth match day, Heden’s main street is, as usual, full of players, coaches, spectators, and people who have just come to hang out. On one side of the street, a match between teams from Lebanon and the USA is taking place in the B11 category. They run, fight, and use their arms and hands to communicate with the referee. On the other side of the street, people are enjoying dishes from around the world, Hungary, the USA, and England, among others.
- It’s wonderful to walk around here. There’s delicious food and a fantastic atmosphere, says Simon Hildell, who is strolling around at Heden.

If you keep walking forward through the large crowd, where the pulse is high and the faces are happy, you will come across various competitions. People compete to see who can juggle the most, shoot the hardest, and dribble the fastest. Despite many of the participants not speaking the same language, they still cheer each other on with applause or high fives.

Gothia Cup and Heden are definitely a place for everyone, no matter age, gender or ethnicity.