Fierce competition and sporting excitement on the first day of the 38th International Adam Grabka Tournament

The exciting first day of competition at the 38th International Adam Grabka Tournament is behind us. Youth teams from across Europe took to the pitch at Reymonta Street, showcasing top-tier football. Surprises, spectacular goals, and a close fight for every point – that's the summary of the group stage, which certainly didn't disappoint the fans in the stands.

The U-12 teams competed in four groups from early on, vying for valuable points and a place in the knockout stages of the tournament. For many, this was not only a sporting adventure but also an opportunity to showcase their style and character against foreign rivals.

Group A: Wisła and Slovakia in good form

Group A promised to be incredibly close, and that's exactly what it proved to be. The competition opened with a surprising 1-0 victory for Spartak Trnava over Wisła Kraków, which surprised and somewhat disappointed the local fans. Meanwhile, FC Lahti and Zalgiris Kaunas played to a goalless draw, missing out on any chance to take the lead. The second round brought a stark contrast of emotions. Wisła Kraków recovered in style, defeating the Finns 5-1, while Spartak narrowly but effectively defeated Zalgiris 1-0, securing quick advancement. The final round of matches featured no shortage of surprises. FC Lahti defeated Spartak 2-1, which theoretically could have changed the balance of power, but the White Star left no doubt, demolishing Zalgiris 3-0 and leaping into second place. The promotion was decided by the small table – both Spartak and Wisła had 6 points, but the Slovaks were slightly better in terms of goals.

Group A table:

Spartak Trnava (SVK) – 6 points

Wisła Kraków – Red (POL) – 6 points

FC Lahti (FIN) – 4 points

Zalgiris Kaunas (LIT) – 1 point

Group B: Brno gets back on its feet, Brøndby impressively and... effectively

Group B was a veritable rollercoaster of emotions. Brøndby IF from Denmark kicked off their campaign by thrashing Spartak Subotica 4-0, demonstrating that they came to Krakow for more than just experience. Meanwhile, Estonia's Nõmme United surprisingly defeated Zbrojovka Brno 3-0. In the second round, the tables turned – the Serbs defeated the Estonians 2-0, and Brno defeated Brøndby 2-1 in stunning style, overcoming the deficit and returning to the playoffs. In the decisive round, the Czechs once again demonstrated their class, defeating Spartak 2-0. Brøndby also did not disappoint, thrashing Nõmme 3-0, giving them second place in the group. Four teams, six thrilling matches, and two qualifications. Despite a false start, Zbrojovka finished top of the group.

Final table:

Zbrojovka Brno (CZE) – 6 points

Brøndby IF (DEN) – 6 points

Spartak Subotica (SRB) – 3 points

Nõmme United (EST) – 3 points

Group C: Roma without mercy, Wisła Blue leaves the group with its head held high

Group C was dominated by one team: AS Roma. The Italians demonstrated European standards, winning all their matches without conceding a goal and outscoring their opponents by a staggering 12 goals. They opened with a 2-0 victory over Wisła Kraków, then crushed Espanyol Helsinki 6-0 and Vitorul Cluj 4-0. After a defeat in the first round, the struggling Wisła found their rhythm and defeated the Romanians 3-0 in their second match. In their final match, they comfortably defeated the Finns 5-0, securing a well-deserved second place and advancing to the knockout stages. Vitorul Cluj, on the other hand, shared the spoils with Espanyol, drawing 1-1.

Final table:

AS Roma (ITA) – 9 points

Wisła Kraków – Blue (POL) – 6 points

Vitorul Cluj (ROM) – 3 points

RCD Espanyol Academy Helsinki (FIN) – 1 point

Group D: Everyone had a chance, Austria Vienna prevails

In Group D, anything was possible until the final match. The tournament began with a thrilling exchange of blows – Veres Rivne defeated Riga FC 3-2, and Austria Wien narrowly defeated Diósgyőri VTK 1-0. In the second round, Hungary bounced back, defeating Veres 2-1, while Austria drew 0-0 with Riga, further flattening the table. In the final round, every team had a chance to advance. Veres drew 1-1 with Austria, while Riga defeated DVTK 2-0. Ultimately, Austria secured the most points and took first place, while Veres secured second place thanks to their favorable head-to-head record.

Final table:

Austria Vienna (AUT) – 5 points

Veres Rivne (UKR) – 4 points

Riga FC (LAT) – 4 points

Diósgyőri VTK (HUN) – 3 points

The competition doesn't end there! This Sunday, the best will compete in the finals to determine the winner of the 38th edition of the tournament. Fans can expect fierce matches, spectacular action, and incredible excitement. Don't miss out!