Kicking Goals: When a Startup meets a Local Soccer Tournament

A guest post by Lukasz Zsibrita, digital coordinator and member of the SV 47 Mutscheid e.V.

This summer, my local sports club SV 47 Mutscheid hosted its annual midnight tournament at the newly opened artificial turf. It was a night filled with soccer, laughter, and community spirit. Among the teams was an unexpected contender: Our digital sponsor Gentlent, humorously nicknamed the Pegelpiraten.

From the Office to the Pitch

When Gentlent heard about the tournament, they didn’t hesitate: the entire company - from senior management to interns, volunteers and friends - came together to form a team. They even designed their own logo, which they proudly displayed on custom black and gold jerseys! It was the perfect opportunity for team building and a chance to connect outside the city offices. In the picturesque Eifel region, about 60 miles from the city of Düsseldorf, the idea turned out to be a complete success.

Gentlent on the Field

Known for their creativity at work, Gentlent showed they could bring the same energy to the football field. Despite limited professional experience in the sport, they tackled the game with enthusiasm, proving that teamwork, work ethic, creativity and endurance matter - both in the office and on the pitch. Their presence added a fresh, dynamic vibe to the tournament, much to the delight of the spectators and competitors. In the end, they managed to secure two wins and were just a few points away from advancing beyond the initial group stage, all without prior practice.

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Celebrating Together

There was much more to celebrate than just the tournament itself. In late 2023, Gentlent and SV 47 Mutscheid established a partnership, focusing on supporting the club with various digital initiatives. We shared the details of this collaboration in a blog post at the time. During the tournament, the partnership was officially highlighted with the first face-off and the unveiling of the new advertising board. With its digital sponsorship and assistance, Gentlent is playing a vital role in helping the club recover and regain momentum after the challenges of the pandemic and the devastating flood disaster of 2021, which had destroyed the football pitch and resulted in further economic issues.

A big thank you to Gentlent for showing us that startups can kick it - both in business and on the field, and for being such a reliable partner.