If you've had some 100 teams taking part in your tournament every year for 30 years, then you know you're doing something right. The experienced organisers of the Drenthe Cup know exactly how to keep the ball rolling. The kick-off and the final whistle take place in the delightful centre of Meppel; the opening ceremony at the Kerkplein (the church square) and the prize-giving at the Wheem. Between these two celebratory moments, an exciting international competition is played out across 11 neat grass pitches at the fantastic Ezinge sports park. That's the secret of Meppel - here's to the next 30 years!
The Drenthe Cup is organised by Stichting Inter Jeugd Voetbal Meppel in collaboration with the football clubs, MSC,, MVV Alcides and the referee association of the Meppel region.
The tournament will be played at the Ezinge sports park in the southern part of Meppel. This is home to MSC and MVV Alcides clubs, and has 11 pitches and 2 lovely club houses with a canteen.
School
Youth accommodation
The Drenthe Cup is held at a large sports venue less than 1.5 kilometres from the centre of Meppel. Meppel (33,000 inhabitants) is a colourful provincial town in the rural north of the Netherlands. From drinks on the terrace in the town centre’s breathtaking 15th-century church square to a cruise to neighbouring Giethoorn, Meppel is definitely worth a visit.
Giethoorn, 10 kilometres to the north-east of Meppel, is a unique spot in the Netherlands, thanks to its many bridges, canals and the 'punters' (typical Giethoorn boats). This is exactly why Giethoorn is also known as the 'Venice of the North'. The best way to see Giethoorn is to take a boat tour.
Bad Hesselingen is a large, covered, tropical pool paradise close to the centre of Meppel. There is a range of attractions, such as 5 slides, one of which is 50 metres long, jet streams and a wild water river. There is also a pool bar and a small restaurant.
