Our U16 age group competed in an 80-team international tournament in Spain between 5 and 7 June, with clubs including Atlético Madrid, Getafe, Elche, Osasuna, Real Oviedo and Portuguese side Braga taking part. The field was divided into sixteen groups of five, and our team won all four group matches in convincing fashion: we beat La Virgen 8–0 and defeated La Cistérniga-B by eleven goals. István Körtvélyesi's side advanced as group winners to the round of 16, where goals from Bence Domány and Martin Vérten secured a 2–0 victory over DV7 Madrid.
The quarter-final ended 0–0 in normal time, so the tie was decided on penalties. Our academy players were sharper in the shootout and secured their place in the last four. In the semi-final we faced the historic CA Osasuna, with captain Botond Horváth-Garaba and midfielder Olivér Kardos both getting on the scoresheet. In the final against CD Lugo, Martin Vérten's goal proved decisive, allowing us to lift the trophy without conceding a single goal after seven wins and one draw.
Outstanding individual performances also made the tournament memorable: our left-footed forward contributed ten goals to the success, while Dávid Czinki was named the tournament's best goalkeeper.
Group matches:
SD Solares (ESP)–Budapest Honvéd FC 0–1 (0–0)
Goalscorer: Martin Vérten
Gazte Berriak CF (ESP)–Budapest Honvéd FC 0–2 (0–0)
Goalscorers: Márk Jakab, Martin Vérten
CD LA Virgen (ESP)–Budapest Honvéd FC 0–8 (0–7)
Goalscorers: Hunor Hajagos (3), Martin Vérten (2), Botond Rotár (2), Márk Jakab
CD La Cisterniga-B (ESP)–Budapest Honvéd FC 0–11 (0–5)
Goalscorers: Martin Vérten (4), Milán Meggyes (2), Botond Horváth-Garaba, Márk Jakab, Bence Domány, Hunor Hajagos, Babalola Tolani Tiwadire
Round of 16:
DV7 Madrid (ESP)–Budapest Honvéd FC 0–2 (0–2)
Goalscorers: Bence Domány, Martin Vérten
Quarter-final:
RS Gimnastica (ESP)–Budapest Honvéd FC 0–0
Budapest Honvéd FC advanced on penalties
Semi-final:
CA Osasuna (ESP)–Budapest Honvéd FC 0–2 (0–2)
Goalscorers: Botond Horváth-Garaba, Olivér Kardos
Final:
CD Lugo (ESP)–Budapest Honvéd FC 0–1 (0–1)
Goalscorer: Martin Vérten
List of participating players:
Bababola Tolani Tiwadire, Dávid Czinki, Bence Domány, Márk Érsek, Hunor Hajagos, Botond Hegyes, Botond Horváth-Garaba, Márk Jakab, Olivér Kardos, Soma Kralicsek, Magor Marinyák, Milán Meggyes, Márton Menyhárt, Botond Rotár, Kornél Solymos, Krisztián Székely, Péter Szijjártó, Martin Vérten, Miklós Völgyi
István Körtvélyesi, head coach:
“It was a great opportunity for the boys to travel to Spain for a prestigious tournament. Well-known first- and second-division clubs took part alongside regional teams. It was already clear in the group stage that we were in very good form and approaching the matches with the right mindset. The conditions were excellent throughout; perhaps the opposition atmosphere around our matches caused us some difficulty. Overall, we were able to reach the top step of the podium after very good matches played in a fiery atmosphere. We have been through a difficult five days, so there will be plenty to recover from. Congratulations to the team and the staff!”
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