Scenes from Berlin: The Basement and New Balance take The Basement Cup international

8 teams, 1 community.

This was the strapline that adorned the 30-foot banners hanging from the rafters of Funkhaus last Sunday, at the first ever international edition of The Basement Cup. 

On the banks of the Spree out in East Berlin, Funkhaus is an unmistakable landmark of the former DDR, standing tall for decades as a beacon of musical sophistication. Today, the labyrinth of halls, studios, stages and corridors make up one of the most coveted concert venues in all of Europe, let alone the city itself. Legendary composer Nils Frahm has a permanent recording studio inside. 

When The Basement and New Balance rolled into town for a fresh twist on The Basement Cup, Funkhaus played host to a different type of cultural expression. 

With eight teams from across European cities like London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome taking part, the tournament represented the same spirit that had been building steadily over the past month, as Germany hosted another thrilling Euros.

Each brought their own unique flavour to the event, particularly through their specially designed New Balance kits. 

One of the larger sections of Funkhaus, an old factory setting with impossibly high ceilings and a slanted glass roof, was the only appropriate setting for an event of this magnitude. Fittingly, the pitch was marked out on an elevated stage area, with just enough standing room around the cage perimeter for eager fans to watch on. Perhaps even more fittingly, given the tight pitch, the raucous spectators and overall sense that you were in a FIFA street advert, it was the street football masters – Ravani, from Berlin – who emerged victorious, beating The Basement 3-2 in the grand finale.

Among a Beat the ‘Keeper competition, heated games of panna, some sensational football fashion, gorgeous vibes on the decks and a surprise performance from Sainté, the tournament was the perfect closer to a long summer of football. Hundreds stayed until the very end, capping off the night with a public viewing of England’s bitter defeat to Spain. 

It’s no easy achievement, bringing people together in this way. But there’s no better way than through football, and no better place than Berlin. Kudos to The Basement and New Balance for putting on an event that, first and foremost, put community at the heart.

Photography: Jake Hartwell | @harteblanche