Belgian and Dutch toppers again at the 26th edition U13Cup
At the start of the new year, the organization of the U13Cup traditionally presents the first names for the prestigious youth football tournament that is organized every year on the grounds of the Klauwaaid in Bassevelde. Many Belgian and Dutch toppers will be present on 2, 3 and 4 June in Bassevelde.
With RSC Anderlecht, Club NXT, KRC Genk, Royal Antwerp FC and KAA Gent, the entire Belgian football top is represented. Of course, the own U13Cup selection will also be present. The selection team is composed with the best youth football players from the region and has proven to be a breeding ground for new talent for years.
In the past 25 editions, only two Belgian clubs managed to win the prestigious U13Cup. RSC Anderlecht was allowed to raise the trophy no less than 9 times, the last time dates back to 2010. KRC Genk won the tournament in 2014.
In addition to the Belgian top clubs, the Dutch top teams also like to come to Bassevelde. This year, that honor is reserved for PSV and AZ. PSV won the tournament in 2003, AZ has been a guarantee for fast and technical football for years and is often one of the sensations of the tournament. So far this only resulted in honorary places.
Chairman John De Pauw is happy with the Belgian and Dutch participants. “It is important to be able to give our own top teams a forum at the U13Cup. It is one of the places where Belgian and Dutch top talent come into contact with foreign top football for the first time. It is the ideal place to measure yourself as a youth player for the first time. The fact that many players of our Red Devils and Orange once played at our tournament tells the whole story. By the way, a lot of U13Cup boys were walking around at the World Cup. That a boy like Gavi, who actually appeared with us not so long ago, was a permanent member of the Spanish national team, makes us very proud.”
