Our Under-11s had an unforgettable weekend at the Lisbon Football Cup, held on October 25th and 26th. It was two days packed with football, friendship, learning, and excitement, and we could not be prouder of how our players performed and represented the team.
Day 1: Exciting matches and great team spirit
The tournament kicked off with a challenging opener against Sporting Lisbon’s Academy. It was a tough match but a fantastic learning experience for the boys and Hanna.
Our team bounced back brilliantly in the second game with a 4-1 victory, with Hanna and Adam both on the scoresheet and Regan putting in a standout performance.
The final match of the day saw us face another strong side. Despite the loss, the energy and enthusiasm remained high. The team returned to the hotel buzzing with excitement, ready for the next day.
Day 2: Sunshine, determination, and celebration
After a rainy first day, the sun finally came out, and so did our best football! The team faced another tough Portuguese side in the morning but finished the group stage with a fantastic 2-1 win.
Ron and Hanna were the scorers, while Adam and Hanna once again shone with their determination and teamwork.
A huge shout-out to all the parents for their incredible support throughout the tournament, especially Ahmed’s dad, who brought so much enthusiasm that the team named him our Marylebone Mascot.
Finishing 4th
Our strong group performance secured a spot in the 3rd/4th place playoff, played at the main stadium, an amazing achievement for our young players.
Facing Estrela, a very strong opponent, the team gave their all. The match ended 8-3, but the team celebrated every goal. Hanna netted two, and we saw a spectacular free kick from Regan.
All in all, considering that Ron and Maxim were playing up from the U10s and Hanna from the U10 girls, finishing 4th out of 6 teams was a brilliant achievement.
Fair Play Award – A proud moment for FCM
To top off an amazing weekend, the team was recognised by the tournament organisers with the Fair Play Award. This is testament to the team’s sportsmanship, spirit, supportive coaching, and fantastic parent community, who were right by the player's sides cheering them on.
And it couldn’t have been more deserved; our club truly embodied what youth football is all about!
Building friendships and looking ahead
Beyond the football, the weekend was full of smiles, laughter, pizza nights, swimming, and bonding, moments that brought the team even closer together.
To close the tournament, coaches and players celebrated at a team dinner, where Hanna (our top scorer with 4 goals) and Adam (3 goals and consistently outstanding performances) were named Players of the Tournament.
It was an incredible weekend - one that perfectly captured the Marylebone spirit: teamwork, joy, learning, and togetherness. It was an absolute pleasure to take our players abroad for a weekend away. This would not have been possible without our amazing parents, supporters, and the Lisbon Football Cup organisers.
A huge well done to all!