The first edition of the Orange Veins OH Leuven Cup U14 brought two days of international youth football to the Jeugdvoetbalcentrum in Leuven on August 22 and 23, 2026. Hosted in close collaboration with host club OH Leuven and Orange Veins, the tournament brought together eight talented U14 teams from across Europe for a weekend filled with competitive football and team experiences.
The line-up featured an impressive mix of clubs. In Group A, host team OH Leuven, FC Oslo, Roda JC, and Crystal Palace FC competed against each other, while Group B consisted of FC Dordrecht, Derby County FC, PK-35, and KVC Westerlo. With teams representing different countries and football backgrounds, this first edition provided plenty of interesting match-ups throughout the weekend.
With a strong turnout of spectators, the atmosphere around the OH Leuven facilities was excellent. Supporters passionately encouraged their teams from the sidelines, creating an energetic setting for the young players and adding enormously to the experience of this inaugural edition. The Orange Veins OH Leuven Cup U14 proved immediately to be a successful addition, combining international youth football with a professional and lively tournament environment.
The second day brought the decisive matches, with the teams battling for the final standings. The battle for the top positions produced a fantastic finish. In the final, English side Crystal Palace FC and host team OH Leuven faced off in a thrilling encounter. Crystal Palace eventually took control of the match and secured a convincing 3-1 victory to claim the tournament win.
The match for third place was equally competitive. FC Dordrecht and Finnish side PK-35 were evenly matched in a scoreless 0-0 draw, after which FC Dordrecht held their nerve in a tense penalty shootout to claim third place.
Away from the team performances, players also had the chance to shine individually. Immediately following the final, the award ceremony took place.
Crystal Palace player Mason Gyimah was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament; he led his team with 5 goals and 1 assist, including a crucial strike in the final. The Top Scorer award went to PK-35 captain Sisu Jokela, who led by example for his team and impressed with a total of 6 goals. Elijah Gordon of Crystal Palace was chosen as Best Goalkeeper, thanks to his many great saves and the minimal number of goals he conceded.
Orange Veins would like to thank OH Leuven and all of their volunteers for their tremendous contribution to the organization of the tournament. We would also like to thank all participating clubs, coaches, players, officials, supporters, and everyone else who helped make the first edition of the Orange Veins OH Leuven Cup U14 a success. We look forward to seeing the tournament continue to grow in the years ahead.
