LAVA CUP 2024 TOURNAMENT FORMAT & FIXTURES
Over 40’s/ 7-a-side tournament format: All teams will play 3 X 15 minute matches in the group stages (sections A, B, C and D). Four teams will be drawn into each group section. 4 matches will be running consecutively (Each match on 1/4 of the main stadium pitch).
The top two teams of each section with most points (Group A+B+C+D) will play for the Lava Cup and Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals in a knock-out system. Quarter-Final Knock-Out: Winner Group A v Runner Up Group B; Winner Group B v Runner up Group A; Winner Group C v Runner Up Group D; Winner Group D v Runner Up Group C. Two losing Semi-Finalist will play-off for 3rd place medals.
Teams finishing in 3rd and 4th place of group A+B+C+D will compete for The Consolation Ice Plate in knock-out format. Medals and Ice Plate will be presented to winning team only. Quarter-Final Knock-Out: 3rd Group A v 4th Group B; 3rd Group B v 4th Group A; 3rd Group C v 4th Group D; 3rd Group D v 4th Group C.
TOURNAMENT RULES
- Straight 15 minute matches (no breaks or added time). FOOTWEAR – Moulded studs or Astro boots. All matches on artificial pitch. (Chewing gum prohibited at the pitch)
- Each team will play a minimum of 4 matches, possibly 6 if you are in the medal positions.
- Corner kicks as usual.
- Kick-in rather than throw-in (No shy’s).
- Rolling subs in can be used throughout matches, subs can only enter play when the ball is not in play.
- No offside rule will apply.
- Goalkeeper’s can’t pick up footed back passes, only headed back pass.
- After holding the ball, the goalkeeper must immediately return the ball into play within 5 seconds.
- (No slide-tackling allowed).
- Red Cards – (Off for remainder of match and 1 game ban – Following match).
The referee’s decisions on all on-field matters is final, any abuse or arguing with refs will lead to yellow or red cards. No aggressive play will be tolerated, this is a fun charity tournament with an ethos based on wellbeing, fitness and getting the older generation playing international football.
Teams equal on points in group stage – best goal difference will come into operation, if still equal after goal difference, the best head to head will come into force, if still equal – penalty shoot-out 3 penalties between each team then sudden death if required.
Penalty shoot-out for all knock-out matches if the game is drawn – 3 penalties each, then sudden death if required. We will provide bibs for any potential colour clashes between teams.
Could all teams please arrive at the stadium by 10:00am prompt.
There will be TV cameras and other media outlets along with kid flag bearers covering the event, please keep any bad language minimal. Teams can exchange club pennants/mementos etc before kick-off.
Falkirk FC Club Shop will be open at 10:00am for anyone wanting to purchase official club merchandise.
Presentations and speeches will be hosted in the Brockville Lounge/concourse at 17:00.
There is a food buffet later in the evening along with entertainment, there is an alcohol license until midnight in the South Stand hospitality area of the stadium.
THIS IS A CHARITY EVENT
We have managed to secure extremely generous sponsorship and donations for the Lava Cup to ensure no team has to pay any costs for the tournament, stadium hire or food. What we ask in return is that players of all teams competing, dig deep and put a donation towards our chosen charities Strathcarron Hospice & Falkirk Mental Health Association.
TEAM COLOURS
| Falkirk – Navy Blue Throttur OB – Red & White Stripes Kottarar – Red & White Stripes SR Reykjavik – Blue Cheques | Desportiva – Orange VV Bennekom 35 – Black & White Stripes Borders – Black & Red Stripes Voetball Bennekom – Black & White Stripes |
| Engjavegur – Blue Cheques Celtic – Green & White Hoops Ness – Green & Black Stripes Sassco – White, Red & Blue Trim | Eintracht Frankfurt – Black/Red N. Ireland – Green & Navy Swindon – Red Orkney – Yellow |
OPENING CEREMONY & HOSPITALITY ITINERARY – LAVA CUP
All teams will be allocated a dressing room on arrival.
All players please meet in the corner between the South Stand and Main stand at 11:00 Prompt. The Lava Cup Tournament is supporting Show Racism the Red Card Campaign. Every player will receive a red card entering the pitch, every team captain will wear a SRtRC/PFA Scotland T-shirts.
- All media to be accredited and wear Hi-Viz vests pitch side during tournament.
- All tournament volunteers in Hi-Viz.
| 11:10 | Each team will be called via the Tannoy system to walk to the centre of the pitch. All teams to line-up around the centre circle. 1. All Icelandic teams called 1st – Throttur, Engjavegur, Kottarar, SR Reykjavik. 2. Voetbal Bennekom, VV Bennekom 35. 3. Eintracht Frankfurt. 4. Uniao Desportiva. 5. Northern Ireland. 6. Swindon Town. 7. Sassco. 8. Orkney Seniors. 9. Ness FC Over 40’s. 10. Scottish Borders Seniors. 11. Celtic Legends. 12. Falkirk T8’s. *Piper – Playing pipes at the Falkirk gate as teams walk to centre circle. Flag bearers waving national flags behind piper behind Lava Cup Board with Refs and mascots. *Stadium announcer to announce Show Racism the Red Card Campaign over Tannoy, players to hold aloft Red Cards in centre circle. *Iceland National Anthem played over the stadium sound system. *Then Flower of Scotland played by Piper Gary Nimmo. *Gary will then break off along with flag bearers towards the back of the centre circle. All players in centre circle will break into two lines to form a Guard of Honour for Piper and flag bearers |
| 11:25 | The captains of each team wearing the Show Racism the Red Card/PFA Scotland T-shirts to appear for group photo in front of Lava Cup advertising board. |
| 11:30 | Tournament will get under way. Food Kiosk will be open. Food available for purchase during the tournament. |
| 16:00 (Approx) | Falkirk FC – Pop up shop available to purchase merchandise. Lava Cup and Ice Plate will be presented to the winning teams up the stairs in Main Stand along with Lava Cup 2nd & 3rd place medal winners. Team photos taken on pitch behind Lava Cup advertising board. |
| 16:15 | Throttur Reykjavik players will signal the closing of the tournament by performing the famous Icelandic song “Eg er kommin heim” which will be played over the Tannoy system. Teams shower and change and meet in South Stand for hospitality. Bar will accept both cards and cash. *Please bring cash for some charity activities that will be running throughout the night. |
| 17:00 | Presentations & Speeches Speeches – Marc Boal; Dougie McCallum & Iain Mitchell (Falkirk T8’S); Stefan Hrafn Hagalin (Throttur Old Boys) and an official from Falkirk FC. |
| 18:00 | Buffet (From Official Tournament caterers AIRTH BAKERS) served in the lower concourse of South Stand along with an address to the haggis. Throttur Reykjavik Old Boys will also have Icelandic delicacy Hakarl (fermented shark) for anyone brave enough who wants to taste. |
| 19:30 – 20:45 | The Moon Rocks Band will perform a live set of classic songs from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. |
| 21:00 | Various unique items are up for a charity auction. Pound nearest the whisky bottle. |
| 21:30 – 22:00 | Open Mic session. |
| 22:00 – 23:30 | The Moon Rocks continue live set |
We are fundraising on the day for Strathcarron Hospice & Falkirk Mental Health Association. Any club wishing to donate, could you place your team donation in an envelope on arrival, and pass it onto myself or the volunteer bucket collectors to keep secure. There will also be buckets at the ground for donations.
