Desert Cup concludes in spectacular fashion
UD Almería, Valencia CF, Málaga CF, Real Madrid CF and PSG crowned champions as nearly 1,000 young players light up Roquetas de Mar
The Desert Cup concluded on a high, with UD Almería, Valencia CF, Málaga CF, Real Madrid CF and Paris Saint Germain lifting trophies across their respective categories. In the women’s competition, UD Almería prevailed with victories over Villarreal CF and Sporting Lisbon.
The second edition of the Desert Cup, a youth football tournament organised by UD Almería and the Roquetas de Mar City Council, with support from the Provincial Council and Cajamar Bank, came to a close last Monday after 4 action-packed days.
Roquetas de Mar hosted a high-profile gathering that brought together major Spanish clubs, including Real Madrid CF, Atlético de Madrid, Sevilla FC, Betis Balompié, Valencia CF, Villarreal CF, Granada CF, Málaga CF, Real Murcia and CA Osasuna. The international contingent featured Paris Saint-Germain, SL Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal FC. Hosts UD Almería and the Roquetas de Mar Football School also took part.
Nearly 1,000 boys and girls aged 8 to 14 competed across 2 pitches at the Antonio Peroles facilities and 3 more at Las Salinas, which together staged around 130 matches.
The Desert Cup kicked off on Friday, 5 December with a clash between the youth teams of UD Almería and Elche CF. Before the opening whistle, Roquetas de Mar Mayor Gabriel Amat and UD Almería Managing Director Mohamed El Assy officially inaugurated the event.
The tournament proved a resounding success both in terms of organisation and participation. UD Almería also shone on the pitch, with the under-8s crowned champs after a 3-1 win over Valencia CF in the final. At U10s level, Valencia CF claimed the title with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Granada CF. UD Almería secured third place by defeating Real Madrid 2-1.
The U10s ‘B’ Indálicos also finished third after edging Valencia 2-1. Málaga CF clinched the category title with a narrow 1-0 win against Arsenal FC.
At U12s ‘A’ level, Real Madrid CF took home the trophy after beating Sporting Lisbon 2-0 in the final. UD Almería completed the podium by overcoming Atlético Madrid 3-2. Meanwhile, in the U12s ‘B’ category, Paris Saint-Germain were crowned champions following a 3-1 victory over Betis in the final.
UD Almería fell 1-0 to Villarreal CF in the third-place match. In the women’s U16 division, UD Almería celebrated triumphs over Villarreal CF (3-0) and Sporting Lisbon (1-0).