Rethymno warmly welcomed the two SOCCA events

At the Conference Center of the Theartemis Palace hotel, the curtain opened on Thursday afternoon for the two mini football events, which Rethymno will host, for the second consecutive year.

It’s about TUI SOCCA Champions League at a collective level that begins on the morning of Friday (October 17) and will end next Monday (October 20) at the stadiums of Sochora and Misirion with the participation of 106 teams from 70 cities and 35 countries of all five continents and for the SOCCA Aegean Cup (with four men’s and four women’s national bands) which will follow on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21 and 22.

The press conference, which was also the official presentation of the two events, was graced by the presence of representatives of all the organizations involved, who warmly welcomed the delegations, many of whose members (players, coaches, referees) attended the event.

Thanos Papadopoulos, CEO

SOCCA InternationalPresident of the Organizing Committee

“ Greeks and Cretans are among the most hospitable people in the world. We hope you have a great time in Rethymno and enjoy your participation. We thank for the support the Municipality of Rethymno, the Region of Crete, the Minister of Tourism, the EOT, the Chamber of Rethymno and of course our great sponsor, YOUI.

This is a historic moment because we are trusted by a huge tourism organization such as TUI. This opportunity is not only limited to sports but also to everything involved in this event in which 2,000 people participate, not counting visitors.

The event is held here not only because Rethymnon is a nice city but also because people want and know how to support such initiatives.

We are here not only to bring people but to create relationships and further develop the local sports culture.”

Giorgis Marinakis, Mayor of Rethymno

“Rethymno becomes the point where the mini-football society meets the local culture. In fact, I believe that this will neither be the penultimate nor the last time the event is held in Rethymnon. We have the support of the Region and the local community and that means a lot.

Rethymno is the city to which its visitors always return. It is the place of memories for those who have come in the past and the place of expectations for those who are about to visit. Our hospitality, monuments, history, food and of course the excellent climate are some of our strong points, while we have the weather as our ally.

Two world-class events are being held in its football capital SOCCA Sochora. In the end, winners are all those who fight and believe in the values ​​of sport. We are all winners who can become better as people. Already, the region has been transformed and for that I thank the International Federation and the friend and relative of Rethemniote, Thanos Papadopoulos and his colleagues, the Deputy Governor of Rethymno, the General Secretary of the EOT for his presence, but also for his important sponsorship.

I wish that everything will develop excellently and I think that we will have a beautiful event”.

Mary Lioni, Deputy Governor of Rethymno

“I also convey the greetings of the Regional Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnautakis, for this great event that will take place in Rethymno.

We feel honored because the International Federation chooses our city for the fourth time and it is gratifying that from this year women’s teams are also participating, as well as athletes from all over the world.

I am glad that we will be “neighbors” these days as the building of the Regional Unit of Rethymno is located opposite the stadium of Sochora.

I must emphasize that in Crete there is a sports culture and that is why many important international events are held. I am very happy that one of these great events, perhaps the biggest this year, will be hosted in our city and I hope that it will become an institution and receive more support in the years to come.”

Andreas Fiorentinos, General Secretary

Hellenic Tourism Organization

“Thank you for inviting us to support this sporting event. Tourism and sports go hand in hand, giving a potential “present” to the local community it supports. It is hopeful that sports opens up to other aspects of everyday life such as hospitality and visitors to such beautiful cities.

The values ​​are timeless and priceless in our country, and I hope you will enjoy it with the same zeal that we do.”

Magnus Huttenberend,

representative TUI

“There is nothing more beautiful than traveling to new places and getting to know new civilizations and cultures.

Mini football is not only a beautiful sport but also gives us the opportunity to bring people to a city that has one of the most beautiful sea fronts in Europe and even at the end of the tourist season. This creates an interconnected relationship between the local community, the organizers and the participants and offers benefits to all.

We feel honored to be cooperating with Rethymno. We bring a lot of people here every summer and we hope to see you at the World Championship in Mexico in a few months.”

Nikos Provias, Deputy Mayor

of Sports of the Municipality of Rethymno

“It is our great pleasure to have you again in our city. Rethymnon is a place that wants and can be a center of sports and culture.

Rethymnon is a city with a long history, with deep roots of hospitality and a strong will to succeed.

The event is a celebration of sports that wants to promote the spirit of will and the values ​​of “fair play”,

We are delighted to have the best mini football teams on the planet, the most passionate footballers and of course fans who will embrace the efforts that will unfold over the next six days on our pitches.

The TUI SOCCA Champions League it is more than just an event.

I wish all footballers to play with heart, with dignity, to stick to it fair play and show respect to the opponent.

I also wish the coaches and referees to show their dedication, dignity and professionalism and to our fans to support the efforts of the teams with warmth, enthusiasm and appropriate behavior.

Let’s create an atmosphere worthy of champions, respect the values ​​of the sport and strengthen our love for it.”

Christophe Kehi, President SOCCA Europe

“I came to Rethymno in 2019 when the World Cup was held SOCCA . I was on the beach and I felt the most wonderful moments. It was a magical image that remains indelibly etched in my memory.

We are very happy and proud because 106 teams are participating. Together we created the best stadium we could, while I see here many players, coaches and this beautiful trophy.”

Giorgos Xirakis, President of the Union

Football Clubs of Rethymno

“Thank you in advance for choosing our place for such a great event. As football people we feel double joy, because through this event the children of our academies will be given the opportunity to see football players from all over the world and gather experiences. At the same time, all of us will follow the events not only as sports fans, but also as people who will observe what is happening and learn from it. The organizers deserve a lot of congratulations because what is happening requires a lot of work.”

Giorgos Bastakis, national team coach

“Rethymno has proven that it wants, knows and can support such events. This is the biggest that has ever happened in our country and for that I would like to thank everyone who contributed to create the conditions for us to live our football dream.

As the coach of the National team, I promise that we will give our best to live up to what we stand for.”

Written message from Yiannis Kefalogiannis, Minister

Civil Protection and Climate Change

“Hosting an event like the TUI SOCCA Champions League is an honor for our country. Rethymno once again becomes a point of reference on the world sports map. It is not just a big event but an opportunity to highlight the city, Crete and our homeland.

Thousands of participants will experience the hospitality of the Rethemnians, transfer their experiences to their countries and become ambassadors of culture, extroversion and development.

With passion, dedication and professionalism, Rethymnon is able to systematically host such large events”.