The participating teams
Associazione Calcio Reggiana, commonly referred to as Reggiana, is a professional football club based in Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The club was formed in 1919, reformed in 2005 (Serie C2) and 2018 (Serie D) , and currently plays in the Serie B, the second tier of Italian football. Reggiana is known as i Granata ("the Maroons") in reference to the club's main colour: maroon. The club has participated in Serie A, the top tier of Italian football, seven times; their last appearance dates back to the 1996–97 season.
The first football game in Reggio Emilia was played under the roof of the old market in 1909, via an exhibition promoted by the local multi-sports association “Forti per Essere Liberi” (Strong to be Free). The first football clubs emerged subsequently in the coming years, with Reggio Football Club, formed in 1912, rising to prominence as the main local side due to its participation to Promozione, the then Italian second tier, divided into regional groups. In 1914, a group of Reggio FC members in disagreement with the presidency at the time decided to leave the club and form Juventus FC. The two sides clashed in 1914-15 Promozione.[vague] The entry of Italy into World War 1 in May 1915 caused a vacuum in the local football scene, as many young players were drafted into the army and lost their lives in the war. On 25 September 1919, in the main town square (today’s Piazza Prampolini), a group of former footballers, assembled by former Reggio FC footballer Severino Taddei, decided to form a new local club, using Juventus’ ground Campo Mirabello and Reggio FC colours (maroon and blue). The new club was formed as Associazione Calcio Reggiana.
A.C. Reggiana
Lillesand Fotball
Lillesand Football Club, part of Lillesand Idrettslag, is located in the charming town of Lillesand in Agder, Norway. The club focuses on promoting football within the community, providing opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels to enjoy and develop in the sport.
As a key component of Lillesand Idrettslag, which was founded on December 13, 1919, Lillesand Football Club benefits from the history and support of the larger sports club. The football club offers a comprehensive program that includes youth teams and recreational play, ensuring that there is something for everyone who loves the game.
Football in Lillesand owes its early success to an "immigrant," Finn Jacobsen, a former center-half for Odd Skien, who was instrumental in getting the ball rolling. He is considered the founder and first instructor of the football group. Interest in football spread rapidly, and Lillesand Football Club experienced its first golden age right from the start. Although not initially registered with the football association, the team played eight matches in 1922, winning five and drawing one. One of the most notable achievements in the opening season was a victory against Vigør from Kristiansand in a private match. By the following year, Lillesand Football Club fielded three teams and played twelve matches.
The club's facilities are well-maintained and include modern training grounds and pitches at Holta, providing a good environment for both practice and matches. The opening of the Holta stadium in 1972 was a significant milestone, contributing to the club's growth.
In 1970, Lillesand Football Club registered five teams in the series and had 70 active players. This was just the beginning. By the 75th anniversary in 1994, the club had expanded to 26 teams with over 350 players.
In recent years, the football group has consistently fielded more than 40 teams in league play, involving around 500 active players, as well as numerous coaches, leaders, assistants, referees, and parent contacts.
One of the standout features of Lillesand Football Club is its focus on youth development. The club invests in nurturing young talent, offering experienced coaching and a supportive atmosphere that helps young players grow and succeed.
Lillesand Football Club also plays an important role in the local community, organizing various events. The club is proud to host the Nordic Youth League in June 2024.
Imås/Jerv
Fotballklubben Jerv is a Norwegian football club from Grimstad. The club was founded in 1921. The team plays its home games at J.J. Ugland Stadion – Levermyr, which was opened in 1954. The stadium has a capacity of 3,300 spectators (2017). Wolverine plays in yellow jerseys, blue pants and yellow socks. The club played in the Eliteserien in the 2022 season.
The club was founded in a woodshed in Vestregate on 5 August 1921 as Vestergatens FK. The name was quickly changed to Djerv, before the current name was given in 1923. The club played its home games in Ødegårdsdalen until 1939, when the sports ground at Arendalsveien was put into use. Jerv played there until 1954, when the facility at Levermyr was inaugurated. Jerv won the 3rd division in 2000, 2001, 2009, 2011 and 2013, and was in the 2nd division in 2002, 2003, 2012 and 2014. In 2014, Jerv won division 1 in the Oddsenligaen, and moved up to division 1 again. In 2015, the club had a historically good season in the OBOS league and finished in 5th place, which gave them qualification for a place in the Tippeligaen. Here Jerv made it all the way to the final, where they had to lose to Start over two even games. The following year they had the highest position in the club's history within the top football. Jerv ended up in 3rd place in the OBOS league and entered yet another qualification. Jerv made it all the way to the final, where they had to lose to Stæbek over two even games. Jerv was eight minutes away from playing in Eliteserien 2017. After the 2021 season, they again ended up qualifying, where they moved up.[9]
Vigør
Fotballklubben Vigør (founded 5 October 1918) is a sports association from Kristiansand, with around 1,000 members who, in addition to football, also practice curling, floorball, squash, children's sports and the football leisure scheme FFO. The club has several football facilities, including a full size pitch at Hellemyr, with a grandstand on one long side. There are also plans to build a clubhouse here. Vigør also has a hall located at Tinnheia, it consists of two squash courts, an artificial grass court, changing rooms and a clubroom with, among other things, a kiosk and all of Vigør's trophies. The club also has two 7's courts, one at Krossen and one at Kartemyr.
At its highest level, the club was ranked as Norway's 38th best club after a semi-final place in the NM in 1938. The final place was very close in 1938, but there was a loss to Mjøndalen on a neutral ground in Larvik. Throughout much of the 1950s and 1960s, Vigør was among the best teams in Southern Norway, although not as clearly as in the heyday of the 1930s.