"A Tournament We Will Remember" – Participants at the 38th Adam Grabka Tournament

A tournament that combines sport, people, and development. After the final whistle, the trophy presentation, and a few days of rest, it's time for reflection. Participants of the 38th Adam Grabka Tournament share their thoughts: on the organization, the atmosphere, and what this unique event meant to the young players. Representatives of the tournament organizer, Wisła Kraków, also expressed their opinions.

Jarosław Królewski – President of Wisła Kraków
“We want to continue this beautiful tradition”

"This is one of the most beautiful tournaments we have the privilege of organizing as a club. Its uninterrupted existence over so many years is of great value to us," says the president of Wisła Kraków. "We are pleased that the event attracts teams from abroad, but above all, it brings immense joy to young players and their families. This is a tournament we want to cultivate for decades to come."

The president also emphasized the deeper dimension of the competition:

"The children learn more than just football here. They learn to cope with defeat, savor victory, take responsibility, and support each other in difficult moments. Fair play was present at every step. It's a great metaphor for life," he said proudly. "I hope these young boys will grow up with the values ​​they demonstrated on the pitch today."

Filip Tomovič – Sparta Trnava – head coach
“A tournament that provides experience for the future”

Filip Tomovič, coach of the Slovak Sparta Trnava, did not hide his joy at participating in the tournament, despite mixed emotions after the results of the second day.

"We started this tournament really well. Yesterday brought us a lot of joy thanks to the victories we achieved. Today we didn't start as strongly, but that's how it is in football. Despite this, I think our team is still performing very well," he said.

In the context of the organisation of the event, Tomovič stated that:

"The organization is top-notch. The hotel is excellent, the food delicious. Logistically, everything was planned so that we have nothing to complain about. There is time for every element – ​​rest, preparation, meals…. The entire team is very pleased with how we were received here."

He also stressed how important such an initiative is for the development of his players:

"It's very important for my players to participate in a tournament like this. A good example of this is playing matches in this huge stadium – it prepares my players for what they might face in the future. Another important part is the fact that playing in a foreign country is also something completely new for them. We also have so many European representatives here that each match shows us a piece of a new sports culture."

Mads Milland – Brøndby IF – head coach
"Something we won't forget"

Brøndby IF coach Mads Milland spoke highly of the tournament as a whole, emphasising that it will remain in his team's memory for a long time.

"This event will stay in my memory for a long time. Youth competitions at such a stadium are a true rarity. My players will never forget this atmosphere. Their own, professional locker rooms, matches against top European teams, pre-match moments, anthems, flags... It's a truly great experience. I think it could change their approach to football," he said proudly.

He also pointed out the differences between playing in the league and in the tournament:

"It's a completely different experience than league play. Here, everything happens in one weekend, and the pace and intensity are much higher."

Coach Milland admitted that his team is still in its infancy:

"This is a relatively new team... The longest acquaintance between the players was only nine months. And yet, the chemistry and mutual support were evident on the pitch. I'm very proud of them. These competitions build relationships in a unique way – sharing a locker room, competing on foreign soil, confronting new styles of play. Nothing brings people together like new experiences."

In conclusion he added:

"I'm incredibly grateful for the invitation to this tournament. It was an incredible experience for our entire team. It brought us all a lot of joy. And we also got to see a bit of Krakow, which was also quite special. Thank you!"

Coaching Staff – Austria Vienna
"We are just happy"

The tournament winners, Austria Wien, were overjoyed after the final whistle. The coaching staff summarized the past few days in our interview:

"I'm grateful for this team. You could see how much the boys cared and how much joy they derived from every moment of fighting for the cup. Now we feel pure joy – we, our players, and the fans in the stands! We thank Wisła Kraków not only for organizing, but also for the exciting final. They set us very difficult conditions on the pitch."

However, not everything came easy – the team had to face adversities:

"The beginning of the first day wasn't the easiest. After the trip from Vienna, we had to contend with exceptionally high temperatures. But the boys adapted quickly and, once they got into the rhythm of the match, it was very difficult to break us out of it," they reported with a smile.

The team emphasized the balance between ambition and fun:

"My players train hard, but I always remind them that football is also fun. Although, I won't deny it, I also remind them often that tournaments are for winning."

In conclusion, the coaches added:

"We also wanted to thank you again for organizing this tournament. It was a great experience, and we were delighted to be here."

Michał Jania – Director of the Wisła Kraków Football Academy
“This is something special for our boys”

Michał Jania, director of the Wisła Kraków Football Academy, spoke about the importance of the tournament for young players and the growing level of competition.

"Every tournament is an important part of the training process, but this one is especially meaningful for our players," says Michał Jania. "Playing at the Reymonta Stadium, against teams from Poland and Europe, is a great experience."

The academy director also emphasized the level of competition:

"The level is rising year by year. This year, the top four played excellent football, but teams outside the top also demonstrated excellent skills. This confirms that the tournament is a place where every team can test themselves and develop."

Marcin Kordaszewski – Wisła Kraków U-12 Coach
“We wanted to represent the White Star with pride”

Coach Marcin Kordaszewski summed up his team's performance, emphasizing both the training goals and the emotional experiences of the young players.

"Our goal was to present ourselves from the best side possible – athletically and mentally. We wanted to implement our training goals, but also learn how to cope with emotional situations. And we achieved many of these goals," concluded coach Kordaszewski.

Although there was some dissatisfaction, the coach was proud of his players' attitude:

"There's always room for improvement, but the boys showed great heart. They fought, supported each other, and managed to stay focused even in the most difficult moments. And these are key experiences in their development."

Michał Wilczyński – Wisła Kraków U-12 player
"It's a dream come true"

For many young players, participating in the tournament was a unique experience. Michał Wilczyński shared his emotions about playing at the Wisła Kraków stadium.

"The opportunity to play at the stadium on Reymonta Street was something extraordinary for me. The support of the fans gave us wings, and the tournament atmosphere was fantastic," the young footballer reported. "I felt more excitement than stress. It was our dream, and I'm proud to have made it come true."

Aleksander Trzósło – Wisła Kraków U-12 player
“It didn’t go perfectly with Austria, but we’re happy”

Aleksander Trzósło talked about the emotions accompanying his performance in the tournament and the pride he felt representing Wisła Kraków, despite the difficult match against Austria Wien.

"Playing at Reymonta was incredible. The fans really supported us, and that was a huge motivator," said Aleksander. "We didn't play as well as we would have liked against Austria Wien, but looking back on the entire tournament, we're proud of ourselves."