Doctors' World Cup for the first time in Saalfelden Leogang

Photo1: Local inspection at the Steinbergstadion in Leogang: from left Thomas Czermin (organisation WMFC 2017) Marco Pointner (GF Saalfelden Leogang Touristik), Simon Seiler, Josef Grasserbauer (both long-time national team players), Markus Burger (organisation WMFC 2017) Clemens Burgstaller (national team), Sepp Grießner (BGM Leogang)//credit:smpr.at//

Every year since 2006, the international medical profession has determined its best medical soccer team in a large-scale organised tournament. Now, for the first time, the doctors' football world championship titles will be awarded in Saalfelden Leogang from 8 to 16 July. The tourist region thus joins a list of venues with illustrious names such as Barcelona, Los Angeles and Seoul.

In addition to the image factor, over 1000 participants also give the region a strong boost in terms of overnight stays. A medical congress is being held at the same time as the World Cup, so the players, most of whom are travelling with their families, will spend a whole week in the region. "The mega event is particularly interesting from a tourism perspective. The doctors are an extremely interesting target group, most of whom will be spending a week here in the region," says a delighted Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik. "Traditionally, many participants take the opportunity to spend a relaxing holiday with their families in the region alongside the sporting competition. In other words, there is plenty of opportunity to meet up away from the stress of everyday working life, to train and make new professional and private contacts," says Josef Grasserbauer, head of the Austrian national team.

Date: 8 to 16 July 2017
 
A total of 108 matches will be played over six days in the Saalfelden Leogang region. 36 teams will play on the region's pitches. In addition to the world championship titles, a tournament for senior teams (45+) will also be held on small pitches. The Austrian national team has also set itself an ambitious goal for the World Cup: They want to finally make it onto the podium and top their previous best World Cup result, a 4th place at the 2008 World Cup in Lithuania. The Austrians' final training camp from 16 to 18 June in Leogang will provide the finishing touches. The grand opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, 8 July 2017 and the World Championship final will be held on Saturday, 15 July 2017.