Author: Oliver

Today, Saturday (October 24, 2026), the 33rd LEK-Cup — a tournament organized by the Lahti Referees’ Association (Lahden Erotuomarikerho) — is taking place in Lahti.
Back in 1989, our colleagues from Lahti became the first international team to participate in the Referee-Cup in Lüneburg. That same December, a team of referees from Lüneburg traveled to Lahti for the LEK-Cup, marking the beginning of a decades-long friendship characterized by reciprocal tournament visits.
Although no team from Lüneburg is participating this year, we are proud to know that the “great referee family” is coming together once again in southern Finland, thanks to the presence of the Italian association AIA Albanolaziale — a group that first met the Lahti team at the Referee-Cup. In this context, the Lüneburg tournament motto rings especially true:

“WITH US YOU WIN FRIENDS — NOT TITLES!”

We send our best wishes to Lahti, and we remain hopeful that we will meet again — not only in Lüneburg in 2027, but also in Lahti — perhaps with even more friends who first crossed paths at the Lüneburg tournament!

Frank Splisteser, head of the referees at FC Wacker Neustadt, was the first to register his club’s referee section for the 2027 Referee Cup.
As always, the match officials from the Hanover region will spend a romantic camping weekend at Hasenburg.
For more details, see the announcement on the FC Wacker website (in German language): https://fcwacker1912.de/aktuelles-schiedsrichter/.

We are back again: on 26 and 27 June 2027, referees from different nations will once again come together in Lueneburg, Germany, for the 17th International Referee-Cup.

Two days of football, international friendship and unforgettable moments await us – true to our motto:

“With us you win friends – not titles!”

The invitation to the 17th International Referee-Cup is now available for download – simply click on the image (approx. 33 MB).

A mobile-friendly version (approx. 1.5 MB) is also available in our download section.

Registration forms and further information will follow shortly.

Any questions? Feel free to get in touch with us at info@referee-cup.de – we’d love to hear from you!

A short organizational meeting took place during the Lueneburg District’s referee observer training course in Ahlerstedt, where Guenther Thielking, Oliver Vogt, and Kord Schröder used the opportunity to discuss various logistical matters. Guenther Thielking (a member of the DFB referee training team) will handle the support and coordination of the referees officiating at the tournament (likely once again alongside former FIFA referee Fatou Gaye from Senegal), while Kord Schroeder – a highly communicative all-rounder – will be responsible for finding practical solutions throughout the tournament.

For the first time, a colleague from Albania will participate in the Referee Cup: Rejdi Avdo (39) from Tirana has already confirmed he will be in Lüneburg in June 2027 to officiate matches at the tournament. A FIFA assistant referee since 2006, he has officiated numerous matches across Europe, from Baku to Seville.
Having lived in Flensburg for a time, he speaks good German—welcome, Rejdi!

(June 30, 2026)

An important part of the tournament is also SVE’s legendary host “Bobby” Gavrilovic.
In 2024, he had to improvise a lot due to water damage in his kitchen, which he, of course, managed to do, and for many tournament participants, his legendary Serbian hospitality is another important reason to take part in the Referee Cup.
Initial discussions with the tournament organizers have already taken place, and it is planned that some televisions will be available to watch matches from the Women’s World Cup, which is being held at the same time. The legendary schnitzel buffet will also be available again, and breakfast will be offered to campers at the sports complex.