Street sports and youth advocacy converged at the Zemgales Olympic Center as Jelgava hosted the opening event of the “Forget the Winter” tour, organized by Ghetto Games. The tournament brought together participants for competitive street football and 3×3 basketball alongside mental health checks supported by the Bērnu aizsardzības centrs under an ESF+-cofinanced project.
Ghetto Football Highlights and Panna Showdowns
In the “Ghetto Football” Open tournament, team “TFK Lats” claimed first place after Matīss Beitāns defeated world panna master Jack Downer in a post-match 1v1 final. According to tournament results, all youth division winners in the football bracket had not previously won Ghetto Football stages. Spectators also watched a special 1v1 panna duel where Jack Downer challenged 3×3 Olympic champion Edgars Krūmiņš, showcasing individual technique against the basketball gold medalist.
The football podiums featured:
- Open: 1st place – “tfk lats” (Matīss Beitāns, Roberts Vārpa, Renalts Freimanis, Raimonds Ivenkovs); 2nd place – “MADS” (Genrihs Makoveckis, Maksims Antonovs, Kirill Kirsanov, Jack Downer); 3rd place – “Fc Lupatas” (Dmitrijs Moskalenko, Edvards Ābele, Niks Glindziņš, Daniils Nikolajevs).
- U16: 1st place – “nonchiji”; 2nd place – “onlyfans fc”; 3rd place – “Toe hunters”.
- U14: 1st place – “Street Kings”; 2nd place – “Šokolādes Jāņi”; 3rd place – “Fs Naba”.
- U12: 1st place – “Sarkanās pantēras”; 2nd place – “BJSS Academy”; 3rd place – “Fk cisiņi”.
3×3 Basketball Champions Secure Superfinal Bids
“Salaspils 3×3” claimed the Open division crown in the “Ghetto Basket” tournament, earning a ticket to next year’s “Ghetto Basket Quest” tournament. The team topped a competitive bracket that included runner-up “Root Jūrmala” and third-place “Džeriji”. In the Lady division, team “Mītava” took first place ahead of “Chill” and “Galīgs čau”. Youth categories saw victories by “Barigas” in U16, “Eksemplāri” in U14, and “Flamingo Elite” in U12.
Complementing the athletic competition, a live podcast featured Olympic champion Edgars Krūmiņš, panna master Jack Downer, and “Pakāpiens” youth center head Oskars Šulcs discussing sports and youth development.
Integrating Mental Health Support in Youth Sports
The Jelgava event served as the official kickoff for Ghetto Games’ winter season tour, which will travel through Courzeme and Vidzeme before concluding with winter Superfinals in Ķīpsala on January 23. Alongside the athletic tournaments, a mental health check-up station operated throughout the day. The initiative aims to provide young people and their families with accessible information on daily challenges, risks, and early solutions through trained professionals and youth workers.
Pro Tip: Registration for Ghetto Games winter tour stops is handled through the Ghetto Games mobile app, with free participation for players up the U16 age bracket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the “Forget the Winter” opening event take place?
The event was held at the Zemgales Olympic Center in Jelgava.
Who won the Ghetto Football Open tournament?
Team “TFK Lats” won the Open division, defeating “MADS” in the final stages.
What is the next major milestone for the Ghetto Games winter tour?
Following regional stops in Courzeme and Vidzeme, the winter season will culminate with Superfinals in Ķīpsala on January 23.
Are youth participants required to pay entry fees?
Participation for youth groups up to U16 is free of charge, while Open and Lady divisions require a 20 euro registration fee per team.
Join the Conversation
Did you attend the Jelgava season opener or participate in the Ghetto Basket brackets? Share your thoughts on the tournament results in the comments below!
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