As mayor and resident of Bassevelde, I am proud that this tournament has been taking place in our municipality for twenty-five years. Every year, world cities fight to organize the final of the Champions League. Thanks to this tournament, we have had a Champions League final in our backyard for twenty years. The tournament is a permanent fixture on the international youth football calendar. It is no coincidence that many players at the World Cup and European Championship once played in Bassevelde. Vincent Kompany, former captain of our Red Devils, played his first major final here. From Bassevelde to Maracana, it is a small step. That makes me proud. What makes me even more proud is the sense of togetherness and enthusiasm that this tournament has awakened in our municipality for twenty years. This tournament stands and falls with the efforts of thousands of volunteers. Together with the organization they deserve the one and only U13Cup trophy for me. Thank you for twenty-five years of top football under our church tower.

We have been partners of this tournament since the first edition. As an insurer in Assenede and the surrounding area, we naturally want to do our part. On the one hand, because it is a TOP event at an international level in its segment. On the other hand, because it brings a lot of opportunities. But we also get a lot in return. For example, a tournament of this magnitude is an ideal means for an entrepreneur to be seen in the region. The VIP event on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon is also an excellent time to develop business relationships in a relaxed atmosphere. You can continue to count on our commitment in the coming years

“In which a small country can be big”, it sounds in a famous Dutch football song. In Bassevelde, that becomes ‘In which a small municipality can be big’. Twenty-five years of U13Cup, you just have to do it. And how? The fact that players like Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany and our own Maarten Martens still look back on their visit here with pleasure tells the whole story. As a resident of Basseveld I grew up with this tournament. As an employee, as a board member, as a supporter of Maarten and later as alderman of the municipality of Assenede. The involvement is great. To everyone in our community. This edition is extra special for me. It should be the culmination of twenty-five years of hard work, but also of twenty-five years of enjoying top football. This tournament rightly bears the title ‘Champions League for U13’. Being a part of that for twenty-five years is the cleanest feeling on earth.