FOOTBALL – Twelve teams representing districts of Marseille and the surrounding municipalities came together to compete for the HCup. A look back at this tournament which has taken on a new dimension this year.
Organized for the first time after the 2020 confinement, the HCup is now one of the biggest football tournaments in the Marseille region. This year, twelve teams representing districts of Marseille (Felix Pyat, Le Clos, La Cayolle, La Viste, La Méditerranée…), and surrounding towns (Aubagne, Vitrolles, La Gavotte) met from June 3 to July 3 to play the tournament. The teams were initially grouped into 3 pools of 4 teams. The first of each hen (Felix Pyatt, The closed et La Cayolle) and the second best (The Mediterranean) then found themselves in the semi-finals. Before the grand final on July 3 which pitted Felix Pyatt au Clos (we will come back to this).
An edition placed under the sign of the renaissance. Last year, the tournament did not go to completion due to a deadly shootout that took place after a match, not far from the La Martine stadium. But despite this tragic event, the organizers have decided to relaunch the competition this year. And the show was on point.
Beautiful people on the grounds…
Like every year, professional players came to the HCup to represent their neighborhood. After Hugo Magnetti (Brest – The Gavotte) et Youssouf Mchangama (Auxerre- Savina) in previous editions, it is Ilan Kebbal (Reims) who played in the tournament this year under the colors of The Views. In addition, many semi-pro players from N2, N3 or R1 also responded. This mixture gave us some very good matches throughout the competition.
Despite their long club seasons, these players have come to the HCup for fun, as the tournament’s best player explained, Christopher Hernandez. Passed through the OGC Nice training center, Hernandez plays today for UGA Ardziv, an amateur club founded by the Armenian community of Marseille, and promoted to N3 next season. And as he pointed out after the final, the elegant attacking midfielder of the Clos (13th) had a lot of fun during the tournament.
It was a great adventure and a great tournament. Congratulations to all the organizers. We, on the ground, we had nothing but pleasure, it was magnificent. We had fun during the games. We hope it will come back even bigger next year.
Christophe Hernandez, the Clos attacking midfielder, in possession of the best player trophy, alongside one of the founders @Soilhou.
By his dazzling ball handling, his swaying dribbles, his millimeter passes, the number 15 impressed observers. pic.twitter.com/iJd7AkReh9
— HCUP MARSEILLE (@hcupmarseille) July 5, 2022
… and in the stands too
But the popular success of the HCup is also written in the stands and on the internet. For a month, many residents of the neighborhoods came to encourage their teams in the Delort and La Martine stadiums. The highlight being July 3, when more than 2,000 people attended the final which saw Felix Pyatt (3rd arrondissement) win on penalties against The closed (13th). A success that was celebrated with dignity, since a huge barbecue with DJ and fireworks was organized in the neighborhood the day after this victory!
During the match, the fans of both teams transformed the single stand of the La Martine stadium into a mini Stade Vélodrome. Drums, smoke bombs, flags… everything was there! Alongside them, there was also a neutral public, but also and above all recruiters.
Some players have also caught the eye of the latter. Very good during the tournament, the playmaker of Felix Pyat Rayan Bichari is now a highly coveted player. The young Marseille (20) has several offers in hand and should play in National 1 next season. Success at this level will undoubtedly open the doors to a professional career.
In addition to the atmosphere at the stadium, the matches were also streamed live on YouTube. A broadcast organized by the event’s volunteers and partners (Association B-Vice, SP, Wonder, Hassany, etc.) who made their personal equipment available. A team of 4 commentators (Nordine Ali Said, Azir Said Mohamed, Florent Benidriss, and Idriss Ahamada, author of this article) then commented on the matches live. An ambitious formula, but which has found its success. 48 hours later, the final has been viewed or reviewed more than 12,000 times. Enough to give great ambitions to the organizers.
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A day at the Velodrome?
Born in 2020, the HCup has come a long way since then. At the start, only 8 teams were entered. The matches were organized on the fly. The referees officiated under a balaclava in order not to be sanctioned by the Mediterranean Football League, which prohibited them from directing unofficial matches. Today the HCup is a bona fide association. A security company has been chosen to protect the actors and avoid overflows during the matches. And around forty volunteers ensured the smooth running of the event. In addition, the town hall of Marseille also supports this project by making the stadiums available. The mayor Benoit Payan even came to present the trophy to the winners. And the icing on the cake, the Mediterranean League has also relaxed and lets its referees take care of the matches. And without a hood please!
With this structure, popular support and that of the institutions, the organizers hope to come back stronger next year. Other districts have also contacted the co-founders (Hachim Martiniky, Ben Salim Boina, Soilhou Ahamed and Ardi Ahamed) to participate in the tournament and help it grow.
Inevitably, the success of this year and the future prospects are a dream. As one of the co-organizers of the tournament told AFP and BFM Marseille, I’m Salim Boina (goalkeeper of the Comoros team): “Next year, we want the final at the Stade Vélodrome! “. A dream that could come true one day.
Thank you to all of you.
The HCUP Marseille is you.
🎥 : @Olya_sarah pic.twitter.com/vO7YSQ2N4h
— HCUP MARSEILLE (@hcupmarseille) July 6, 2022
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