U10's faced Munich, Dortmund & Leverkusen
A selection of Cambridge United’s Under 10 Academy Squad participated in the MHB Champions League Stumm Cup in Munsingen, Germany, this weekend.
This top indoor tournament plays host to 25 teams including some of the top clubs from across Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary.
Played in a indoor arena, with over 1,500 people viewing and the noise volume providing a quality atmosphere for the players, together with a scenic display of club flags and banners from the spectators, the stage was set ready to witness some top players in an excellent tournament!
Despite the heavy snow outside, it was certainly game on indoors, as the U’s looked forward to showing everyone their potential and talent.
The fixtures were 9 minutes long and were quick fast tempo games, challenging technique, movement, decision making and concentration together with your ability against other top players.
Opening Group Results – Top 3 from 5 progress
v SV Wurtingen Won 6-1
Comfortable performance for the players in their first indoor football experience.
v TSG Munsingen (Hosts) Won 8-0
Convincing display and finishing against the hosts – a positive start and know we will face tougher challenges next!
v Bayer 04 Leverkusen Drew 1-1
U’s come from behind a take a well deserved point against a good team.
v Honved Budapest (Hungary) Drew 1-1
U’s concede late in the game, but show excellent character to equalise with seconds to spare.
Cambridge finish 2nd in Group and progress to Champions League groups for Round 2.
Champions League Group 2 – Top 3 from 4 progress
v FC Basel (Switzerland) Drew 1-1
U’s come from behind to equalise (against the eventual finalists) in a tough fixture. Well pleased with the performance.
v Grasshoppers Club Zurich Won 2-0
U’s are comfortable and decisive in their attacking play
v Borussia Dortmund Lost 1-2
In a great fixture, U’s miss a glorious opportunity to equalise in the denying seconds after being 0-2 down. A great performance with good compliments from the Dortmund coaching staff and players
Cambridge finish 3rd in the Group and progress into Champions League last 12 group stage
Champions League Group 4 (3 Teams) – Top Team progresses to Semi-Final
v 1860 Munich Drew 1-1
Against a good team, Cambridge come from behind for a well deserved point.
v Bayern Munich Lost 1-2
U’s were confortable in possession and in control following a great equaliser, however a slight lack of concentration and a slight deflection enables Munich to score with 50 seconds remaining to knock Cambridge out. A score draw would have put the U’s in a penalty shoot-out with Bayern Munich for a place in the Semi’s.
The performances from the players were fantastic and they fully deserve great credit! Just look at the teams our young players got to demonstrate their talent against. and Their display has demonstrated that we can provide good competitive games against them and compete in such tournaments.
We fully appreciate our invitation and in particular the support and friendship of Phil Bell, who was our German Host for the weekend. Phil was fantastic with our players and ensure we all had a great weekend, both on and off the pitch!
Squad: Stevens-Lee, Townsend, Baker, Gomes, Cowling, Juettner, Brumby.
Staff: Marc Tracy (Head of Academy Operations) & Tom Pell (Academy Foundation Phase Lead Coach)