Düsseldorf announces cancellation of U19 Easter tournament at BV 04 for this year
The international U19 Champions Trophy, traditionally held at the BV 04 facility on Hans-Böckler-Straße, was scheduled for its 61st edition this year. However, due to financing issues, the tournament has been cancelled for 2023.
High-caliber teams from Europe, including Fortuna Düsseldorf and Borussia Mönchengladbach, were expected to participate in the tournament groups. Alongside these German teams, a BV 04 team was also part of the competition. In the past, the tournament has attracted teams from far and wide, with a Japanese university team participating in previous years, and Sydney FC being among the teams present in 2024.
BV 04, a youth football development organisation, has been responsible for organising the tournament in recent years, along with a trio consisting of Martin Meyer, Piet Keusen, and Marcus Giesenfeld. The focus for BV 04 has been to ensure the financial stability of the Easter tournament, and to secure its place as a significant part of youth football development in the long term.
However, the cancellation of the 2023 tournament has presented a challenge for BV 04. They are seeking new sponsors to secure the future of the Easter tournament, and to put it on solid footing in terms of marketing. Bodo Grimm, the first chairman of BV 04, expressed optimism last year about the tournament taking place in 2025. However, no information about the participation of teams in the potential 2026 tournament has been provided.
Despite the cancellation, Bodo Grimm remains hopeful for a revival of the BV04 Easter tournament at Easter 2026. BV 04 aims to establish the tournament as a permanent fixture in the youth football calendar, and to ensure its long-term success. The search results do not provide information about the new organiser taking over the BV 04 Osterturnier.
The cancellation of the BV04 Easter tournament for 2023 is a difficult decision for Bodo Grimm, but the organisation remains committed to its mission of promoting youth football and providing opportunities for teams from around the world to compete. The future of the tournament may be uncertain, but BV 04's dedication to its cause remains unwavering.
