History

The Kortrijk/Wevelgem X-Mas Tournament is organized for the fifth time.

• In 2006, the First edition was organized in Wevelgem. One day was foreseen for Boys Under 18 and one day was scheduled for Under 16. We aimed at having 8 teams competing in both categories. We succeeded in the U16 category, but only 5 teams participated in the U18 competition. The former Power Wevelgem was successful in both categories. Not surprising, as several Wevelgem youngsters already played in the senior team in the second national division.

• In 2007 we were rewarded for the hard work during the First edition. In both categories we welcomed 8teams, and the level clearly increased. Sanex Antwerp Giants was victorious in U18. Not a surprise, as several of it’s players were practicing with the First division senior team. The U16 winner, Duva Gistel Oostende was in the same year runner up in the Cup of Flanders.

• In 2008 we welcomed again 8 teams in the U16category, while we could count on 10 participants in the U18 category. Taken into account the court availability, the maximum we were able to register. For the first time, a national team was participating: the England U16 national team participated in both the U16 and U18 tournament. It was by then no surprise that England was victorious in the U16 competition. In the U18 competition however, the very strong BBC Kontich went home with the cup. The better players of this team were transferred after the season to the second division team Sint Jan Antwerpen.
  
  

• In 2009 the tournament took a huge step forward and became really international, with the much appreciated cooperation of the city of Kortrijk and Wevelgem. Competitions were spread over three days and an age group was added: boys U14 were new on the program.
  The decision to start a cooperation between Kortrijk and Wevelgem was a huge success, as it created a lot of new opportunities. Teams were accomodated in the nearby Altia hotel and Ibis hotel.
  The level of the competition took an important step forward. We could register teams from Belgium, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg, France, Spain, Lithuania and Latvia.
  In Boys U18, were we registered 12 teams, the Spanish team of CBiUM Manresa was victorious, although Waregem (Bel) proved to be a tough opponent in the final. David Valverdù of CBiUM Manresa was elected MVP of the tournament, and to complete the successstory, he also won the 3 point contest.
  In Boys U16, we had 14 teams competing. The Flemish selection (a pre selection for the national team with the best players of Flemish part of Belgium) was to strong for Castors  Braine (Bel) in the finals.
  In Boys U14 (8 teams), the team of Tornados Kaunas proved to be the strongest, after a thrilling final against the organizing club Kortrijk Sport CB.
  In this edition, we focussed upon improving the quality of the organization, on the court (thanks to a lot of very strong teams competing) and off the court (high level hotels, services for the teams...). As this was a first "huge" organisation, the lessons learned from this edition will be taken into consideration for the 2010 X-Mas Cup.
  
  

• In 2010, the international participation increased a lot. We hosted 54 participants, amongst whom 30 teams came from abroad. The German teams had discovered the tournament, which resulted in a huge participation of JBBL teams. We also added a new organizing club: Betafence Zwevegem.
  In the U18 age group, five national teams were on the participants list, and we could welcome our first Czech participant from Prague. Norway was to strong for Belgium after a very challenging final, while the famous “Centre de formation” of Gravelines (France) won the 3th place.
  In the U16 age group , the Flemish selection was victorious, after a thrilling final against the German team of Ludwigsburg. Eifeltowers Den Bosch (Netherlands) ended up 3rd, and could have won the tournament if they had had some more bench players.
  The Flemish selection was also victorious in the U14 age group, dominated by the Belgian teams. In their final they had to work hard to beat the strong team of Bavi Vilvoorde. Cators Braine took the 3rd place.
  In this edition, the legendary coach "Van Kers" lended his name for the first time to the MVP awards.