The 52nd futsal tournament Kutija šibica will start on 25 November at Dom sportova Sports Hall and last until 29 December which is the date when the winner will be revealed. The secret of the appeal and longevity of the largest futsal tournament in the region is first and foremost the strong enthusiasm of the competitors. Excellent results and especially victory are more connected with sporting prestige and pride than financial goal, regardless of the fact there is a rich prize fund. In addition to the main part of the competition, the 16th Veterans’ futsal tournament and the 7th Female tournament are taking place at the same time.
The tournament was named Kutija šibica after the sports hall in neighbourhood Trešnjevka in Zagreb. In 1971, when the tournament was established, it was the largest in the city but at the same time it was so small that this illustrative name was very fitting. The number of teams competing grew from eight at the beginning to as many as 118 four years later, and in record 1985 there were 648 teams. The number of spectators grew in the same dynamics, so it is safe to say that the life of citizens of Zagreb is marked by this futsal tournament, which is certainly the key to its longevity.
Photo credit: Ronald Gorsic / CROPIX