Fun was the trump card in the southern Baden metropolis. An all-girls team (with five instead of four outfield players), two teams from Switzerland and a Swede (Calle Friberg) who joined the MTB Club Teck were just some of the many splashes of color at the third MTB Soccercup. And the tournament had some curious stories to tell. For example, the one with the title: Out of bed and into the final!

Baden I thought they had already been eliminated on Saturday evening. But when SG Rheinfelden and MTB Teck drew on Sunday morning, Moritz Milatz, Benjamin Rudiger and Co. suddenly slipped into second place in the group. Benny Rudiger then had to get Moritz Milatz and Tim Böhme out of bed. In the quarter-finals, the team from Baden then knocked the Swiss out of the tournament with a 1:0 win (goal: Benny Rudiger). The semi-final against Baden II had to go to a seven-meter shoot-out. Heiko Gutmann proved to be a penalty killer and ensured that the team reached the final after it had been 1:1 in regulation (goals: Oli Findling- Benny Rudiger).

In the final, the all-Baden team ran out of steam, as they were the only team to have played the entire match without any reserve players. Benny Rudiger was able to equalize the opening goal with a wonderful overhead kick by Jochen Coconcelli. But Coconcelli was unstoppable. Two further goals from the Metzinger ensured a second victory for the Swabians, who had already triumphed in the first edition in 2006. So the duel between the "arch-rivals" went to the guests from Württemberg.
In the match for third place, last year's winners from Upper Swabia prevailed 4:1 against Baden II. The defending champions had been knocked out of the tournament in the semi-finals by the Württemberg team thanks to two Coconcelli goals.

A fourth edition in 2008 seems to be a done deal. Then perhaps even in Switzerland. René Walker, organizer of the Swisspowercup in Bern, has concrete plans after two Swiss teams were already in the field this year. "The tournament was a complete success again. We had a lot of fun and that's the main thing," said co-organizer Stefan Sahm. According to the initial assessment, the mountain bikers did not suffer any serious injuries. As always, the games were played very fairly on the OSP hall floor. Presenters Sven Simon (Allstars) and Jens Wischnewski (Württemberg I) not only created a fun atmosphere, but also chased after the leather ball themselves. The "girls", including national riders Hanna Klein, Agnes Naumann and Ines Thoma, received the prize for the best outfit. They had specially tailored themselves black minis and pink tops.The organizing team of the World Cup in Offenburg had "flown in" the Scheiderbauer couple on Sunday morning. However, they were unfortunately knocked out in the quarter-finals in a seven-meter shoot-out. "Next year we'll charter a coach to Bern," said Stefan Sahm, announcing the 2008 edition. The Swiss also had fun, even though they were eliminated early. "It was great, we'll be there next year too," said Damien Perrin on behalf of his teammates from Velo Bern. The extremely enjoyable evening program also met with a great response and was certainly not the least important part of the third MTB Soccercup.

Quarter finals:
Allstars - Oberschwaben 1:4
MTB Teck - Württemberg I 0:4
Orga-Team Offenburg - Baden II 1:3 (0:0) after 7m shoot-out
Baden I - Switzerland 1:0

Semi-final:
Upper Swabia - Württemberg I 0:2
Baden II - Baden I 1:3 (1:1) after 7m shoot-out

Match for 3rd and 4th place
Baden II - Oberschwaben 1:4
Goals: Matthias Glaser - Valentin Fiderer, Ralf Genal (3),

Final
Württemberg I - Baden I 3:1
Goals: Jochen Coconcelli (3)- Benny Rudiger

Best scorers
1st Jochen Coconcelli 9 goals
2nd Ralf Genal 8
3. Oli Findling (Baden II) 6
4. Benny Rudiger 5

Source: Erhard Goller, the Günther Netzer of mountain biking