FC Zurich prevailed in penalty shootouts against Olympique Lyon in the final to win the women’s FIFA Youth Cup 2022 trophy in Altstetten in Zurich.
FC Zurich, who came from behind to force the game into triumphant penalty shootouts after Lyon took an early lead, displayed resilience to render the game to parity.
Excited after winning the final, FC Zurich women’s coach, Costa Vettas noted that the team consistently improved in every game until they won the final contest to lift the trophy.
“Winning a tournament is just a super feeling. The whole team is so happy for these young women. They constantly improved from the first match to the last, and in the end, we managed to beat four international sides,” Costa Vettas said.
Furthermore, Vettas added that they deserved to win the trophy having scored handsomely and paraded the best player in the tournament.
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“I also think we deserve to win the tournament, as we have the best player of the tournament and scored the most goals. As a coach, I couldn’t be happier,” FC Zurich coach affirmed.
However, several participants have commended the tournament which has given the exposure to play opponents from other countries.
They acknowledge that the tournament was spectacularly organised and the way teams progressed through the phases was superb.
Leela Egli, named the “Best Women’s Player of the Tournament”, while commending the tournament for providing such an amazing experience, praised her team, FC Zurich, for performing incredibly well to displace all teams in their campaign to win the trophy.
She said, “It was an amazing experience to be able to play at this tournament. I’m so proud of our team – the fact that we were able to come out on top against international opponents is incredible.”
Meanwhile, FC Basel defeated Mainz 05 5-4 on penalties after both clubs played a barren full-time draw to win the men’s FIFA Youth Cup 2022.
Remarkably, FC Basel became the only side that was unbeaten during the competition with four wins and a draw.
Speaking after the match, Emirhan Eraslan (FC Basel) described that the tournament and the teams were superb and added that everyone gave their all to ensure the team came out victorious.
“The tournament was superb. Good opponents, good teams. Everyone gave it their all, and of course, it’s great to be able to finish the evening as winners. I’m very proud of my team; we fought so hard. We earned the victory and are over the moon about it,” Eraslan said happily.
Aside from Leela Egli (FC Zurich) who was named the women’s Best Player of the tournament, Brajan Gruda (1. FSV Mainz 05) emerged as the best men’s player, F. Belhadj (Olympique Lyonnais) as the best women’s goalkeeper, Tim Spycher (FC Basel) as best men’s goalkeeper and Fair Play awards go to VfL Wolfsburg (women) and SL Benfica (men).
