HR51F40 :	ESRUSA
	Organizers :	MNK Park Avenija 69
	Region :	Umag (Istria)

As a tourist crowd puller, the popular Istria peninsula is perhaps not an obvious location for international field competition. However, insiders know that Istrië has been part of the program for years. Various tournaments, which each have a good number of entrants, are o rganised on this beautiful coastline every year. Istria: sport with a tint of tourism.

Tournament Planning

Sports Facilities

The Jadran Cup takes place at several different locations in and around Umag and Novigrad. The modest stadium of NK Umag is situated at walking distance of the picturesque town-centre of Umag. It offers a main pitch with small stand, canteen with terrace and a second pitch. The other pitches are in villages around Umag within a distance of 5 miles. In the neighbouring seaside resort Novigrad at about 15 km from Umag you'll find two fine grass pitches and an artificial 7-a-side pitch. One grass and one artificial pitch are located next to Hotel Laguna, the other grass pitch is situated in the small stadium of NK Novigrad. Please note that the facilities in Croatia like changing rooms and sanitary are basic according West European standards and that in some locations food and beverages cannot be obtained on the spot. Therefore lunch (packages) can be booked forehand.

Remark

• For the age categories U19, U17, U15 and U13 dispensation is given for 3 players born on/after August 1st of the year before. On request, teams from the USA might have more players than the allowed 3 as dispensation.

• For the age category U11 dispensation is given for 2 players born on/after August 1st of the year before.

• Due to different deadlines - set by national soccer associations in category U19 - the tournament organiser made some exceptions to this rule: teams from Italy: 5 players born on/after 01.01.89, teams from Switzerland: all players born on/after 01.01.89 and teams from USA: all players born on/after 08.01.89.

Referees

The referees are selected by the local tournament committee. Linesmen are provided for the finals. Teams must provide their own linesmen up to the finals.

Trophies

Number 1 to 4 per category, a cup per team

Participating countries

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden.

Program

For your stay in Umag the o rganizing club has elaborated a program which leaves the participants enough time to enjoy the many attractions of this touristic center: beach, picturesque town center with numerous terraces, restaurants, shops, pubs and many sports facilities in the surroundings of the hotels and apartments. This gives the participants all the possibilities to spend their free time just the way they prefer. After arrival in Umag, clubs are welcomed by members of the tournament committee and the Euro-Sportring representative. On Sunday the tournament starts with the preliminaries at the different locations. In the evening, the stadium of NK Umag will be the location for the festive welcome. Majorettes and live music will support it all. The next day the remaining preliminaries and intermediaries will take place. In the evening all team leaders are invited for a reception in one of the hotels in Umag. On Tuesday the classification matches will take place. The finals will be played in the stadium of NK Umag, followed by the prize-giving.

Touristic Information

• Istria is the largest peninsula of the Adriatic Sea and is the most westerly province of Croatia, next door to Italy. Istria has no less than 445 kilometres of coastline and this makes it a very popular holiday destination, especially among sun worshippers. Pula, Medulin, Rovinj and Porec are the most popular tourist spots. Istria is very green with lots of unspoilt countryside, lakes and waterfalls, age old culture and very hospitable people. However, it’s the beautiful crystal clear waters and high sun hour ratings which make Istria a dream destination for so many people.

• Each summer, Umag (7,500 residents) is transformed into a tourist magnet of the very first class. This stylish seaside town is located in the north-west of Istria, and offers very attractive, ancient architecture, a fantastic atmosphere around the harbour and narrow streets in its old town centre. This is the ideal spot to nose around in the many boutiques, while the wide range of restaurants, bars, cafés and nightclubs makes the holiday picture complete.

• The coastal village of Novigrad (3,000 residents) is an old fishing village on the west coast of Istria, some 15 km below Umag. This used to be a colony of Gree k seafarers, while the Romans also made their impression on Novigrad sometime along the way. The medieval street network, the old fortifications and the towers have survived as reminders of the past. Novigrad has very much its own identity, however. The tourist facilities are a few kilometres away from the village centre.

• Porec is on a low lying, narrow peninsula roughly halfway down the west coast of Istria. Although known for its position as the largest seaside resort in Istria, with a pleasant promenade lined with restaurants, pubs and pavement cafés, the old town walls and the small town atmosphere are added factors which make Porec a worthwhile visit.

• Pula (85 km - 80,000 inhabitants) is a 2,500 years old roman city with a lot of historical buildings such as the world famous ARENA where 2.000 years ago roman gladiators met each other in a fight to the death. Other interesting testimonies of this period are the Arch of the Sergians and the Augustus Temple. But there is another Pula as well: the modern city with beautiful, enormous hotel complexes on a nice coast, a yachting harbour and other touristic attractions.

• An excursion to romantic Venice is easily arranged from Umag. The modern catamaran service will bring you there within forty minutes, and there are regular excursions organised each week, taking in all the hot spots of Venice. It’s certainly something not to be missed!