Desert Cup I was a resounding success laying strong foundation for future

The Desert Cup I, a grassroots football tournament organised by UD Almería and its Foundation with the strong support of the Roquetas de Mar City Council, the Provincial Council and Cajamar Bank, has come to an end with resounding success at the Antonio Peroles Stadium in the Roquetas town, which was one of the facilities that hosted the exciting event. 

 

The participation was  top-class with well-known clubs that were represented with their youth teams such as PSG, Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid CF, Athletic Club de Bilbao, Villarreal CF, Valencia CF... without forgetting the Almería presence with UD Almería, Ciudad de Roquetas, El Ejido and Atlético Benahadux.

 

On Thursday afternoon, the tournament began with the welcome and presentation of the participating teams, most of which had the support of the families of the young players, who in this way took advantage of the long weekend in Spain to also go sightseeing in Roquetas de Mar and in Almeria. 

 

All the matches were played last Friday and Saturday and the finals took place last Sunday. At the under-8s levels, Málaga CF were crowned champions by edging past UD Almería 1-0. Villarreal CF lifted the first-year under-10s title, beating Málaga CF in the penalty shootout. In the second year youngest tier, Sevilla FC were the winners by beating Valencia CF. In the first-year  at Under-12s level, the champions were also Málaga CF defeating Real Madrid CF in the final, while PSG defeated Athletic Club de Bilbao in the second-year final. Next, Sporting Lisbon won the women's under-16s against UD Almería. On the other hand, it should be highlighted that there was the presence of renowned former footballers such as Iker Castillas, World Champion with Spain, who did not want to miss the participation of his son, who plays for Real Madrid CF.