Minerva Cup 2024

Excitement and Team Spirit Shine at the Minerva Cup

The Minerva Cup, a soccer tournament hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, brought together colleagues and friends for a day of thrilling matches and lively camaraderie. Held at the soccer grounds of TSV Jahn Büsnau, the tournament featured five teams: Lotschester United, Football Team, VFB Mixed, Solid Play Research, and Troubleshooters.

The competition followed a round-robin format, culminating in a dramatic semi-final between the 2nd and 3rd place teams and a final showdown for the championship. The VFB Mixed Team emerged victorious, clinching the 1st place trophy after a tense shootout ending in a 9:8 scoreline. The atmosphere was friendly yet competitive, with viewers enthusiastically cheering their favorite teams.

Lotschester United took home the 2nd place trophy and also won the "Best Support Award" for their vibrant fan base. The Troubleshooters secured 3rd place, demonstrating resilience and teamwork throughout the tournament. Nick Thiel, a member of the VFB Mixed Team, earned the "Top Goal Scorer" title with his exceptional performance. Meanwhile, FKF proudly claimed the "Derby Winner" title in a spirited match against the neighboring Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems.

Despite the mixed weather, which included a little rain during the final, the Minerva Cup was a resounding success. The day concluded with a celebratory ceremony where the winners received their trophies, followed by a delightful BBQ and get-together, reinforcing the spirit of unity and friendship within the Institute.

Special thanks go to the organizers Duc Hien Nguyen, Andrés Rodríguez Camargo, Martina Paetsch, Runze Zhang, and Henrik Müller-Groeling, whose dedication and effort made this wonderful event possible.

With such a positive response from both participants and spectators, the Minerva Cup has set the stage for more exciting events in the future.