The cadet team of AD Ceuta FC has been crowned runners-up in the Spain ESEI Cup 2026, held in Marbella. The benjamins, on the other hand, won the title in their category.
AD Ceuta FC participated this weekend in the Spain ESEI Cup 2026, a grassroots football tournament held in Marbella (Málaga). The Ceuta club entered teams in the benjamin, alevin, and cadet categories, achieving notable results: the benjamins were crowned champions and the cadets, runners-up.
In the cadet category, the team led by Javi Urbaneja completed a "spectacular" tournament, according to club sources. In the group stage, they defeated CD Lebrija (5-0), ACATEC (1-0), and EF Ciudad de Getafe (10-0), qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Gold phase. There, they defeated CD Inicia 2-0, and in the semi-finals, they overcame RSD Alcalá 1-0, with a direct free kick goal from Miguel Alarcón. In the grand final, they faced Pozuelo A, who won 1-0 with a goal five minutes from time. The Ceutians finished as runners-up, leaving "a good taste in their mouths."
In the benjamin category, the team coached by Juan Calle had a difficult start in group A, with three defeats against UD Melilla, Lincoln Red Imps, and ACATEC. However, in the quarter-finals of the silver phase, they defeated AD Ciudad de Plasencia (0-2). In the semi-finals, they thrashed Lincoln Red Imps 5-1, and in the final, they triumphed over the Advanced Football Academy of Catalonia with a tight 3-2 score. The hero of the match was Youssef Bathouila, who scored a hat-trick to secure the title for the Ceutians.
Meanwhile, the alevin category, led by Badredin, drew their first match against Erizana CF B (2-2) and lost to ACATEC (3-4) and Lincoln Red Imps B (1-3). In the quarter-finals of the bronze phase, they fell to Erizana CF A by 2-4.
The Spain ESEI Cup brought together teams such as CD Lebrija, Guijuelo, RSD Alcalá, UD Melilla, Lincoln Red Imps from Gibraltar, the ACATEC academy from Alicante, and a selection from the Costa del Sol. The players of AD Ceuta "have lived a beautiful experience taking advantage of the summer break to continue enjoying the practice of football," as highlighted by the club.
The tournament was held at the sports facilities in Marbella, a regular destination for this type of grassroots football competitions during the summer. AD Ceuta's participation reinforces the club's commitment to youth development and keeping its young talents active in pre-season.
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