From the base to the top: This leitmotif has been driving the organizers of the Baumit Junior Hallen Cup for more than 30 years. From December 27, 2025 to January 4, 2026, the internationally noticed indoor tournament goes into its 33rd edition. This time under particularly emotional signs: As reported, “Mister Hallencup” Hannes Fesel, who launched the Hallencup as a long -time youth manager of the Union Esternberg and developed it into an internationally renowned tournament format, died two weeks ago at the age of 58.
Continuing Fesel’s life’s work – the new organization team under the direction of Florian Meilinger has set itself the goal. “You can only pull the hat off Hannes and his work for the Union Esternberg. It will continue to be ultimately important to us, with the Baumit-Hallencup to create a possibility in which the base can measure itself with top teams,” says Meilinger, who took over the indoor cup organization last year.
Two thick fish on the fishing rod
The well-rehearsed Esternberger Hallencup team was again able to win national and international top teams for the U15 event-the highlight of the gang magic on January 4th. In addition to “regular guests” such as VfB Stuttgart, Mainz 05 and Hertha BSC Berlin, or domestic figureheads such as Austria Vienna, Sturm Graz and the LASK, Borussia Mönchengladbach comes back to Schärding.
The “foals”, as the kickers of the six-time German champion, triple cup winners and two-time UEFA Cup winners are called, were guests in the district sports hall a few years ago. “The conversation with the Gladbach youth manager took less than two minutes this year. You were very happy about our call and asked yourself whether you can play again,” says Meilinger.
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Image: Stefan Penzinger
Source: Nachrichten
