Samuel Secanella, Zaragoza’s U13 head coach, spoke after the International Carnaval Cup final with a clear and deeply satisfied message: absolute pride in his team’s work.

After a demanding match that was decided in a penalty shootout, the coach highlighted the attitude and competitive character his players showed throughout the game.

“I’m very proud of my boys,” Secanella said immediately after the final whistle, underlining the collective effort of a group that knew how to compete in a scenario of maximum equality. The coach praised the team’s maturity in a high-pressure match where every small detail made the difference.

An outstanding tournament

The Aragonese coach also put the level of the tournament into context, stressing how demanding it was to face academies of great international prestige. “It was a very demanding final. There were teams of a very high level throughout the tournament. The Carnaval Cup has some excellent academies, among the best in the world, and we leave very happy,” he stated.

Secanella also acknowledged the difficulty posed by the opponent over the 40 minutes of regulation time, especially highlighting several players from the Betis side. “It was tough, Betis’ number 7 and number 4 were two outstanding players,” he explained, recognising the competitive level of a final marked by balance.

Beyond the result, the coach insisted on the importance of the process and the team’s growth throughout the championship. Zaragoza, who had finished fifth in the league phase and eliminated Girona in the semi-finals, showed resilience and personality in decisive moments, something the coach considers key in the players’ development.

Two penalty shootouts in two ‘finals’

Zaragoza had to face two consecutive penalty shootouts: first in the semi-finals against Girona and then against Real Betis Balompié in the final. Secanella praised the mentality shown by his players from the spot, where they remained calm to seal the title. For the coach, the championship represents not only a sporting success, but also a reward for the hard work, consistency and team spirit his players displayed throughout the International Carnaval Cup.