Fabrice CUCHOT :

Haute-Goulaine is delighted to be hosting the 33rd edition of the Europ'foot tournament once again, along with neighbouring and friendly Vertou.

This international sports tournament, for which our two local authorities are making their infrastructures available to the organisers, is the result of a joint effort and a very good understanding between two clubs: ESHG football and USSA Vertou. I would like to sincerely thank them, and of course all the volunteers, for their involvement in the organisation of this magnificent event.

This annual event gives our youngsters the chance to play matches of international stature. I can only hope that this tournament takes place in sunshine, which will ensure the success of an event so eagerly awaited by the children and their families, who warmly welcome all the young foreign players.

This high point for our communities is also an opportunity for our young players to open up to the world, to other cultures: it's a great way of building the future by giving our young people the desire to give, to exchange and to share!

I hope you all have a great tournament: sporting, supportive and friendly!

Fabrice Cuchot, Mayor of Haute-Goulaine

Rodolphe AMAILLAND :

On 11 and 12 May 2024, it's time for our unmissable, unifying football event: EUROP'FOOT!

We'll be welcoming 24 great teams ready to battle it out on the pitch, including 5 European teams. EUROP'FOOT is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited European football event in 2024, ahead of the Euro football tournament in Germany a few weeks later.

In 2024, this 32nd edition has a special flavour because it's an Olympic year!

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are by their very nature unifying, for nations as well as for their people. Like football, they transcend all differences and celebrate the popular values of sport, excellence, surpassing oneself and solidarity.

One month after EUROP'FOOT and 100 years after the last summer Olympics in France, Vertou and Basse-Goulaine will also be experiencing an extraordinary moment of unity and shared pride: the passing of the flame! We can't wait to put on a memorable event that will showcase Vertou's countless natural, sporting and committed assets!

As well as being a sporting event, EUROP'FOOT is also an extremely festive and joyful occasion, where the Verdun spirit, to which we are so attached, is fully alive and well.

A big thank you to all those who have helped EUROP'FOOT shine for years: the various national and European teams, the organisers, in particular our President Didier Godineau, and all the volunteers, including the host families!

I hope you all have a great tournament, and that you give everything you've got on the pitch to win, and enjoy these moments of sharing and friendship. May the best team win!

Long live sport, long live the Olympic and Paralympic Games, long live EUROP'FOOT!

Laurent DEJOIE :

The Pays de la Loire Region supports the region's sports players.

It organises and promotes major events such as the Vendée Globe, the Jumping International de la Baule and the Région Pays de la Loire Tour, which took place at the beginning of April.

But the Region also wants to support local players, because they convey the values of sport as closely as possible to the people of the Loire. The organisers of the VERTOU-HAUTE GOULAINE EUROP FOOT have been doing important work for years, and it's great to see them still involved.

They are all the more deserving of the Region's support because Europe is at the heart of this tournament, with teams from abroad, most of them from the European Union. For that too, they deserve our support, because EUROPE is also built on exchanges between young Europeans.

In a world shaken by tragic events, it is essential to remember that peace also requires these exchanges. In this Olympic year, with the flame passing through Vertou, it's worth saying so.

Michel Menard :

Je suis particulièrement heureux de saluer cette nouvelle édition de l’EUROP’foot.

Depuis 2022, après deux années d’empêchement sanitaire, les jeunes footballeurs de moins de 15 ans de toute l’Europe se donnent de nouveau rendez-vous à Basse-Goulaine et Vertou pour partager le temps d’un week-end leur passion sportive et rivaliser de performances de haut-niveau.

Je sais combien l’organisation d’un tel évènement est chaque année un véritable défi. Chez nos voisins comme ici les clubs doivent faire face aux conséquences de l’inflation et sont contraints de limiter ces échanges pourtant si précieux pour notre jeunesse.

Aussi je tiens à saluer la détermination sans faille du président Didier Godineau et de l’ensemble des bénévoles pour organiser cette édition 2024.

Loin des enjeux médiatiques et publicitaires des grandes manifestations internationales ces tournois de nos jeunes amateurs sont importants. Les préserver doit être notre priorité. Parce que le sport aide à grandir et à construire sa vie avec les autres. Et au moment où l’actualité internationale nous rappelle douloureusement l’importance de préserver les liens d’amitiés entre les peuples contribuer à la fraternité européenne est essentiel.

Je suis très fier que le Département de Loire-Atlantique vous apporte son soutien et compte depuis longtemps parmi vos fidèles partenaires.

Que cette édition 2024 soit pour nos jeunes championnes et champions un moment où le plaisir

du jeu, et la rivalité sportive disent aussi dans l’enthousiasme et la convivialité une manière de

vivre ensemble.