The European Silver Cup (ESC) is contested between the next highest placed teams in each National Federations after the Winners. The Winners contest the European Winners Cup (EWC).
Formed in 2015, the Silver Cup offers European competition to the next level of clubs within Europe, allowing an opportunity to play at a high level.
Please see the following statement with regard to the 2020 ESC and the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation in Europe:
To all European Tchoukball Federations,
On behalf of the European Tchoukball Federation (ETBF) Executive Committee:
As many of our clubs, players and supporters will have seen, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is spreading at different rates across Europe. The European Silver Cup (ESC) was due to be held in Ferrara in northern Italy on 20-22 March, a few weeks from now.
Until recently, Italian authorities had isolated towns in the Lombardy region of Italy where the virus had been found in the local population. Ferrara remained outside this zone and was largely unaffected. The ETBF has been in contact with the Organising Committee of the ESC throughout to ensure we are at all times aware of the developing situation.
On 4 March, the Italian government announced a suspension of schools and universities across Italy and banned fans from sporting events for a month effective from 5 March, during the time of the ESC. Whilst players could compete, the nature of the ESC means that any players not playing tchoukball could be judged to be spectators so the competition was sadly no longer viable to run.
Following a meeting of the ETBF Executive Committee on the evening of 4 March 2020, a decision has been taken alongside the organisers of the ESC to postpone the event. This type of decision has never had to be taken previously for any European Tchoukball event. The ETBF understands that this decision comes with implications for all players and officials and the ETBF will work closely with the organisers to support them through this difficult time.
The Organising Committee will work in the meantime to arrange an alternative date and time for the competition if possible, where money reserved against local hotels will not be lost if teams still wish to compete. Further information will be given in due course.
The second European competition, the European Winners’ Cup (EWC) is due to be held in Poland 27-29 March. The ETBF will continue to monitor the situation closely and is in constant contact with the organisers. At this time, there is no reason to suspect that this competition will be affected due to the low number of cases of COVID-19 in Poland.
It is deeply disappointing to have to postpone or cancel any event and the ETBF and the Organising Committee do not make this decision lightly. We wish you all the best in your National Federations.