2022 EMF EURO DRAW: GROUPS
The EMF EURO 2022 is one step closer to the kick-off. After two years in a row of the gap, today, the Draw took place in Bratislava.
The draw ceremony was attended by special guests: Slovak minifootball association president Peter Kralik was joined by EMF President Borislav Alexandrov and State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic Mr. Ivan Husár, the Head of Sports Department (Košice) Mário Švec, and Executive Director of Niké, Roman Berger.
Ivan Husár, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, shared why EMF EURO is 2022 important for Slovak sport. He said that he was happy to be a part of the Draw. He believes that Covid won’t ruin our plans anymore, and we will finally be able to play and organize the EMF EURO 2022. Mr. Husár also believes that we will meet the EMF EURO in peace because Košice is an Eastern part of Slovakia, now dealing with the refugee situation after the conflict in Ukraine.
Mário Švec, the Head of Sports Department, Košice, noted that the pandemic outbreak stopped the whole preparation not only twice, but it was also a risk for this year, but the LOC did their best to make it happen. He also pointed out that Kosice has a long history of multiple sports, such as minifootball or football in general. He believes that Košice can organize a fantastic event attractive for all European sports communities. He believes that we can enjoy this great event in peace and Fairplay.
Borislav Aleksandrov, the President of the European Minifootball Federation, shared the goals and expectations from EMF EURO 2022 as the biggest EMF event this year:
“It is a great honor for me to officiate the draw ceremony of the EMF EURO 2022. Standing from this high tribune, I would say that we have been waiting patiently for this moment to take place as EMF was forced to postpone its supreme competition in the past two years due to the global pandemic situation.
The minifootball community has been trying to use this period for evaluation, restructuring, and reconsideration of our main pillars and pathways. The wise people say that hard times require difficult decisions and determination. I am completely convenienced that what has taken place should happen, so minifootball will overcome these obstacles confidently and return to the international stage stronger and united than ever before. In this respect, we will continue to spread the EMF values rapidly; thus, solidarity, unity, and friendship will prevail over the European continent.
Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the Slovak minifootball Association and Head of the LOC Mr. Peter Kralik and his hard-working team, as well as to all the Slovak institutions and partners supporting the event, for their efforts, sleepless nights and dedication to our dream tournament to come true and to elevate European minifootball to a different level. I am completely sure that we will all witness a real milestone in the new era of minifootball development in June. I wish all the participants the best of luck with the Draw. Thank you for your attention. You Play!“
Peter Králik, President of the Slovak Minifootball Federation and LOC (Local Organising Committee) chairman:
“It’s my great honor to stand here in front of you and talk about EMF EURO 2022. But it is also the satisfaction. Satisfaction of our work here in Slovakia, where minifootball is becoming more and more popular, but also satisfaction after two years in which EMF EURO was postponed. Those two years were tough not just for the local organizing committee but also for the Sport in general. I hope that EMF EURO 2022 will be the new kick-off for the minifootball development after the pandemic, and it will help promote our Sport in all European countries.
As a LOC, I can promise you that we will do everything possible to organize the best EMF EURO in history. I hope the players and the fans will enjoy the whole event in Kosice, and we will be happy to welcome all of you in Slovakia.
I would like to thank the city of Kosice for its great support and the betting company Niké because, without them, we wouldn’t be here today. And also to the Ministry of Education, science, research and Sport which has been supporting us for a long time and EMF EURO 2022 will be the best reference of our work and the very best of minifootball as well.”
Roman Berger, Executive Director of Niké, the oldest and biggest betting agency in Slovakia, shared why Niké decided to support EMF EURO 2022 and what it means for the company. He said that it was a great honor to be there because Sport gave Niké a lot, so they want to give now things back. They are happy to support the EMF EURO 2022 because they are happy to work with people with ideas and the same vision. Niké doesn’t want to be just a passive sponsor but an active partner following all steps of preparing for the event. Niké will help to promote the event with all possible tools they have. They will do their best to make this event outstanding. Mr. Berger believes that this partnership will be the greatest victory for all of us.
The official draw ceremony
Only 11 weeks separate us from the main event in minifootball of the year, the 10th Edition of the EMF EURO. Maybe you didn’t know, but the EMF tournament history also started here, in Slovakia, where the first international minifootball event took place in 2010.
The EMF EURO 2022 will be hosted by the modern multisport Steel Arena, which hosted the Ice hockey championship, best world tennis players, volleyball, and basketball.
The strongest minifootball teams will come to fight for the title of the king of Europe.
Returning back to the draw. The 24 National teams were distributed in 4 pots of 6 each.
Pots
Group Stage Draw
During the Official Draw ceremony, the Mascot and the Anthem of the EMF EURO was officially unveiled.
The Mascot
The Mascot was created by Honzo Blaško. The rabbit with the crown was chosen because we, as minifootball, are very fast and agile. We share this with this animal. The crown is a symbol of the best team, which will be crowned as new European minifootball kings.
The anthem was made by Mario Gapa Garbara and Pavol Jeno.
Mário is a saxophonist of IMT Smile and minifootball player. The voice that you could hear. Singing: Lukas Adamec, Winner of the Slovak superstar contest.
Next steps:
You can watch the draw on our Youtube: Click Here!
You Play!