Feyenoord lifted the Champions Cup after prevailing in the final round-robin against Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, while Barcelona claimed the Europe Cup. These were the outcomes of the 12th edition of the International Under-10 Football Tournament Città Di Bardolino – Memorial Helena e Germano Chincherini—a memorable achievement for both clubs, making their tournament debut last weekend on the shores of Lake Garda.
Once again, the event confirmed its status as one of the premier youth tournaments not only in Europe but worldwide. This year’s edition featured 21 teams from four continents—Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania—transforming it into a true Youth Champions League, and increasingly, a miniature Club World Cup. The competition stood out not just for its prestigious lineup but also for its outstanding technical level and fierce intensity, with matches fought right up to the final whistle.
The title was decided in dramatic fashion in the last and decisive match between Atletico Madrid and Feyenoord. Both teams had previously defeated Chelsea 1-0, setting up a winner-takes-all showdown. After 12 minutes of dominant play by Atletico, Feyenoord struck on a brilliant counterattack to take the lead, and then sealed the win with a second goal in the closing moments as the Spanish side pressed for an equalizer.
In the Europe Cup, Barcelona bounced back impressively after a quiet first day. The Blaugrana had narrowly missed out on a Champions Cup spot—falling short by just one goal in goal difference—but came back strong on Sunday. They dominated their morning group against Verona and a Hungarian selection, then clinched the Europe Cup by defeating Belgium’s KRC Genk and Canada’s Toca Pro FC in the final round-robin.
In addition to the winning teams, several other sides and standout players received recognition for their performances throughout the tournament. Here’s a look at the awards:
Players:
Best player: Denzel Schaafsma (Feyenoord)
Best defender: Thomas Manera (Inter)
Best midfielder: Marcos Palomo Moreno (Atletico Madrid)
Best goalkeeper: Frosen Rasmus (HJK Helsinki)
Youngest player of the tournament: Lara Kingston (Futboltec Sydney)
Teams:
Best playing style: PSG
Fair Play Award: Ajax
As always, a special thanks goes to all the dedicated volunteers of the Bardolino Champions Cup, the invaluable support of the local administration, the hospitality school I.P.S.A.R Luigi Carnacina, tournament sponsors, and all the hotels and restaurants involved in the event’s organization.
