Spectators who witnessed the final of the last SWG Cup in Wieseck live will know: The district-wide tournament is a real highlight in the Giessen sports region. Sport, excitement, fun - everything comes together to create a harmonious event. Consequently, Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) is continuing its 15-year collaboration with the Freundeskreis Fußball im Kreis Gießen e. V. football club. On 1 August, one of the first match days of the qualifying round, Ina Weller, Head of Marketing and Sales and company spokesperson for SWG, Stephanie Orlik, responsible for sponsorship at SWG, Hans-Peter Schön and Henry Mohr, 1st and 2nd Chairman of the Freundeskreis, signed the extension of the cooperation for a further five years: the four signed the contract during the match between FSG Garbenteich/Hausen and TSV Lang-Göns.
"An important reason for the continued cooperation is the pleasing development of the final match day," says Ina Weller, explaining SWG's commitment. In fact, around 70 spectators attended the final day 15 years ago. The organising clubs now expect 1500 football fans in the stands and on the sidelines. "SWG play a big part in this," adds Henry Mohr.
In order to make the competition even more attractive, a number of changes will be made next season. Above all, the prize money for the winning teams: The SWG Cup winners will now receive 1500 euros, the female winners 400 euros. The runners-up will receive 1000 and 300 euros respectively for their club or team coffers. As the organisers have agreed not to play the third-place matches, the losers of the men's semi-finals can still look forward to 250 euros for the men, while the women's team in the same position will receive 100 euros. In addition, the finalists in the men's and reserve teams will receive a small expense allowance.
Looking forward to the new season
Once the qualifying matches have been completed in the summer, the draw for the first round matches is on the agenda. The SWG kick-off event is scheduled for 17 September at 6 p.m. at the Stadtwerke Gießen headquarters. For the final day of the SWG Cup, the organisers are relying on the tried and tested: next year's finals will once again be held on Whit Monday, which in 2019 falls on 10 June.
Where the strongest teams of the 2018/2019 season will meet is still up in the air. As in previous years, there is once again the opportunity to apply to host the event. To organise a successful final day, clubs need two things: a suitable venue with enough space and members who can take care of everything. "So far, there have always been several clubs that wanted to organise the finals day on their grounds," says Stephanie Orlik happily. "That will certainly be the case again this year," adds Hans-Peter Schön. Submitting an application is very easy. SWG offers a corresponding form for download on its website. All other important information about the SWG Cup can also be found here: https://www.swg-konzern.de/swg-pokal/