Latvia win Unity EURO Cup - refugees and host communities unite in Nyon
Thursday, October 10, 2024
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The tournament, organised jointly with the UNHCR, demonstrates how football can be a force for good through diversity and inclusion across Europe.
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Held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, the 2024 Unity EURO Cup celebrated inclusion, diversity and the power of football to break down cultural barriers. This tournament, jointly organised alongside the UNHCR, centres around social inclusion for refugees and host communities, with this year's edition welcoming more than 200 players representing 16 national teams over a total of 33 matches.
Hosts Switzerland, champions Latvia and past winners Germany and Finland all competed, alongside Armenia, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia and Spain. A team of Ukrainian refugees from across Europe completed the line-up.
"This tournament illustrates the power of sport to bring people together, break down barriers, and inspire hope. For people forced to flee their homes, sport is more than just a game – it is a way towards healing, growth, inclusion and belonging. Every day, we see how these opportunities help refugees rebuild their lives, and today’s event is a shining example of that transformation.”
Uniting communities through football
Both male and female refugees were integrated into teams alongside local players, demonstrating how football can build deeper connections between refugees and the communities welcoming them.
The tournament not only enabled the refugee players to represent their host countries but also gave them an international stage to showcase their talents and share their stories.
For Latvia's captain Oleh Lazyrka, leading his team to victory was a special moment:
“Every sport helps refugees, but football, in particular, because when we play it, we feel united, it’s like a big family.”
Football plays a great role in my life. I fled South Sudan because there is a civil war and came to Northern Ireland. It was a long and stressful journey. In Northern Ireland, I started playing football and it was a life-changing. When I play football, I'm just happy, I met new people, I learnt a new language and different cultures. It's like a big family.
The Unity EURO Cup
Organised by UEFA in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Unity EURO Cup brings together refugees and local players from host communities to promote social inclusion through football.
It was established as part of our Football Sustainability Strategy 2030 and also reflects the UNHCR Sport Strategy – More than a Game – which underscores the role that sport can play in improving the lives of displaced and stateless people.
