Mare Nostrum Cup 2026 confirms the strong competitive level of SIA Academy in a prestigious international tournament
The journey of SIA Academy at the Mare Nostrum Cup 2026 has been a clear demonstration of growth, competitiveness, and ambition. From April 2 to 5, we experienced at Mare Nostrum an environment that reinforces our sporting project and showcases the talent of our players on a top-level stage.
Mare Nostrum is not just any tournament. It is an international event where some of the best academies and clubs compete, including prestigious institutions such as FC Barcelona across different categories. This context increases the value of every match and turns each victory into a significant achievement, something our teams fully embraced throughout Mare Nostrum.
Table of contents
Impeccable group stage
Our U16 Cadet and U19 Youth teams delivered a perfect group stage, showing clear superiority both offensively and defensively. Both squads achieved a perfect record, collecting 9 points out of 9 and not conceding a single goal, a statistic that speaks volumes about the level displayed at Mare Nostrum.
The U16 Cadet team began their campaign with a solid 2-0 victory against CF Aranbizkarra, setting the competitive tone from the very start. They then produced an outstanding attacking display with a dominant 0-6 win over UCD Burladés, before closing the group stage with another emphatic 6-0 victory against CF Navarcles. Their attacking power and control of the game were decisive in every Mare Nostrum match, establishing them as one of the standout teams.
Beyond the results, the team demonstrated exceptional tactical cohesion and maturity beyond their age group, dominating both structured play and transitions, clearly reflecting the daily work put in at the academy.
Meanwhile, the U19 Youth team also made a strong impact at Mare Nostrum with three impressive victories. A 3-0 win over P.R Sant Feliu del Llobregat set them on their way, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Ecole Sportive Canada and a solid 3-0 result against Trintxerpe. Our youth team stood out for their maturity, balance, and ability to control every match at Mare Nostrum, displaying a clear and effective playing identity.
In addition, the team’s ability to manage different match scenarios proved crucial, knowing when to accelerate the game and when to control possession to reduce risks—an essential quality in high-level competitions like Mare Nostrum.
The demanding Gold Phase of Mare Nostrum
Reaching the Gold Phase brought a new level of intensity, where every detail became decisive. In this context, our teams once again showed their competitive character.
The U16 Cadet team advanced through the round of 16 with a narrow 1-0 win against UD Molletense in a highly contested match. Defensive solidity and the ability to compete under pressure were key in this Mare Nostrum encounter. In the quarterfinals, the team drew 0-0 against CD Izarra before narrowly losing 3-2 on penalties.
Despite the elimination, the feeling was that we competed on equal terms with any opponent, showing strong personality and a well-defined playing structure. These kinds of matches strengthen the group’s competitive character and prepare them for future challenges.
A brilliant youth team
The U19 Youth team approached the round of 16 with the same ambition. Facing JP Preparation, they played a very balanced match in which our players controlled large phases of the game.
The team created clear chances, dictated the tempo, and displayed a strong identity. However, football does not always reward merit. A goal in the final moments sealed a 0-1 result, in a match where our team was superior for long periods at Mare Nostrum.
Despite the outcome, the team’s competitive level and playing style were among the most impressive in the tournament, leaving a very positive impression both internally and externally.
Much more than results
Participation in Mare Nostrum goes beyond the scorelines. It is a formative and competitive experience that allows our players to grow in every aspect of the game.
We competed with identity, personality, and a clear football philosophy—key elements in our development as an academy, all of which were evident in every Mare Nostrum match. Adaptability, collective commitment, and competitive mentality were constant throughout the tournament.
Frederico Pereira, the academy’s sporting director, highlighted after Mare Nostrum: “The experience has been extraordinary for everyone. We have competed against great teams and our players have responded with personality and character.”
He also added: “Mare Nostrum allows us to measure ourselves in a top-level environment, and what we have seen makes us very optimistic about the future of our players.”
A boost for the future
What we experienced at Mare Nostrum Cup 2026 strengthens our belief in the path we are following. These types of tournaments are essential to consolidate the development of our players and continue building a strong academy identity.
The performances delivered by our teams confirm that we are ready to compete at the highest level of international youth football. Mare Nostrum has been the perfect stage to prove this and to keep taking firm steps forward.
We leave Mare Nostrum with pride, valuable lessons, and the certainty that this is only the beginning of something even greater.
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