Friendly and Lively: Indonesia's Face at the 2025 Gothia Cup

"Where are you from?" "Indonesia," replied 18 teenage boys dressed in traditional Balinese pendet lanang dance attire in unison. This question and answer took place during a journey of approximately one kilometer from the tram station, Centralst Drottningt, to the entrance of the Ullevi Stadium complex in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The 17 Indonesian boys, aged 14-15, wore traditional "Pulau Dewata" attire, consisting of a kamen (sarong), a shawl, and an udeng (head covering). Another player wore the traditional attire of Hanoman, a Hindu deity.

The all-white Hanoman attire, including a head covering, was worn by M Akbar Ramadhan, the striker who scored three goals in the 5-0 victory of the LKG BRI Indonesia team over AFC Eskilstuna in the opening match, nearly six hours before the opening ceremony.

That was the costume worn by the players of LKG BRI Indonesia to participate in the opening ceremony of the Gothia Cup 2025 at Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg, on Tuesday (15/7/2025) early morning WIB. From the tram station to entering the stadium, countless people took photos of them on the side of the road. There were also those who openly requested selfies with the "Laskar Kera Sakti" squad.

The top teenagers in the 2024-2025 Kompas U-14 League Powered by BRI season also never forget to smile. With every click of their phone cameras, smiles spread across their faces.

In addition to the special costumes, the performers also created a festive atmosphere while walking alongside thousands of others heading to Ullevi Stadium. They sang several popular songs from Indonesia, including "Gemu Fa Mi Re" and "Stecu Stecu."

The drizzle did not dampen the spirits of the LKG BRI Indonesia players at all. The cool weather, around 19 degrees Celsius, also did not diminish the joy on the faces of the 18 children who are approximately 11,000 kilometers away from their families in their homeland.

After walking for about one kilometer, they entered from the north side of the Ullevi Stadium, which was one of the main venues for the 1958 World Cup. They were guided by two volunteers who escorted them into the stadium.

This is a chance for all players to experience the magic of the Gothia Cup in a special edition. - Rickard Gustafson -

The Indonesian flag, equipped with a two-meter-tall pole for the flag bearer to hold, was handed over as they entered the stadium. Abdalrahman Yakoub, right wing back for LKG BRI Indonesia, was presented with a large Indonesian flag to signal the presence of the Indonesian contingent.

When the clock struck 20:00 local time, they were given the signal to start the parade. The opening began with an online speech by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. He welcomed the participants of the Gothia Cup, referring to the tournament as the largest youth football festival in the world.

"Your presence makes you a part of something extraordinary. When you step onto the field, you not only represent your team but also represent your country, your dreams, and the spirit of global friendship," said Ceferin, which was met with applause from approximately 50,000 spectators filling the stands and the field area.

A similar statement is also included in the Gothia Cup oath, which was read by a representative of the players in six different languages: Arabic, Spanish, French, German, Swedish, and English.

"We pledge to respect and uphold the spirit of equality. We are committed to implementing fair play and respecting our teams, our countries, and the world," said the five representatives of the 2025 Gothia Cup players.

As the parade began and Indonesia's name was called by the announcer, 18 players from LKG BRI Indonesia performed the viral dance, "pacu jalur," while circling the Ullevi Stadium. The spectators on the field extended their arms as the Laskar Kera Sakti squad passed by. The players did not hesitate to respond to the outstretched arms.

The conclusion of the opening ceremony, which was adorned with a two-minute fireworks display, did not prompt the players of LKG BRI Indonesia to rush out of the stadium. One by one, other teams, especially the women's teams, approached them to request photographs.

After posing for a group photo with the Ullevi Stadium and a pole in the middle of the field reading "50 Years Gothia Cup" as a backdrop, they shared souvenirs. The LKG BRI Indonesia players gave away items from their traditional attire, such as scarves and udeng (traditional head coverings). Other players also gave the Indonesian players souvenirs, including scarves and bracelets.

"I know friends from many countries. After just three days here (Sweden), I am starting to feel confident communicating in English," said the center-back of the LKG BRI team, Abdullah Husain, who requested to have the Indonesian sentence translated into English before starting a conversation with other players.

Rayina Pamungkas, a winger, also shared the scarf she was wearing with other players. She took a moment to chat with a player from Uppsala, Sweden.

"When else can you meet players from abroad, right, bro? This is my chance to gain new experiences that I wouldn't have gotten if I just stayed in Sukabumi (West Java)," Rayina said with a smile.

The execution of the parade went smoothly for the Laskar Kera Sakti squad. Without the presence of the coaching duo, Tb Wahyudiansyah and Eddy, who could only watch from the stands, they were able to carry out the series of opening ceremony parades smoothly and without obstacles.

The excitement aligns with the ambition of the Gothia Cup to present the most vibrant edition in the history of the tournament in 2025. A total of 1,939 participating teams from 74 countries marks the highest record in the implementation of the Gothia Cup.

The Gothia Cup 2025 was held from Monday to Saturday (14-20/7/2025). In total, 4,895 matches took place during this 50th edition. To honor 50 years of the event, six players who participated in the inaugural Gothia Cup in 1975 were also presented on the main stage during the opening ceremony, which lasted approximately one hour.

"This is an opportunity for all players to experience the magic of the Gothia Cup in this special edition. We will celebrate the greatest moments of happiness in the history of the Gothia Cup," said SKF President Rickard Gustafson, representing SKF as one of the main sponsors of the Gothia Cup.

The Gothia Cup once again proves to be more than just a football tournament to find the best team. In Gothenburg, young footballers mingle and get to know new peers from various countries before they enter the professional world that presents global competition.