Flamengo Crowned Champions of the 36th Marveld Tournament
16 June 2026“The focus was entirely on football – what more could you want?”
For three days, Sportpark Den Elshof in Groenlo hosted football at its purest and highest level. The stars of tomorrow and today’s talents faced off in thrilling matches such as PSV vs. Palmeiras, Paris Saint-Germain vs. Feyenoord, and Ajax vs. Bayer Leverkusen, captivating the audience with their skill. The diverse playing styles of the international teams not only made for exciting football but also provided a valuable learning experience for the young players.
Opening by Mayor Gea Hofstede
The Mayor of Groenlo, Gea Hofstede, opened the tournament with a personal touch and fluent English: “And I hope that in a few years, I will see you on international fields and that I can say: ‘I was the mayor when I saw you when you were a little bit younger.’”
For the players of Grol, the weekend held extra joy: Job Roerdink, Ibrahim Taouil, and Roelof Wagendorp had just learned they had passed their final exams the day before.
Prominent Guests and Impressive Performances
Among this year’s visitors was Pepijn Lijnders, known for his work as an assistant to Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool) and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City). Clearly impressed by the quality of play, he remarked: “So much game intelligence, attacking ability, and wonderful personalities in these teams – and these boys are only 15 years old! It’s truly incredible.” The Brazilian teams, particularly Flamengo, left a lasting impression on him: “Flamengo displays constant threat, brilliant positional play, and scoring ability – it’s football you can truly enjoy.”
Swedish referee
For the referees, the tournament was a special experience as well. Theo Edung, a Swedish referee officiating in Groenlo for the first time, praised the professional atmosphere: “Everything is perfectly organized. The hospitality and team spirit make this tournament unique. At the same time, everyone on the pitch is incredibly professional.”
Edung’s first match at the Marveld Tournament was on Friday between Ajax and Bayer 04 Leverkusen – a proper introduction to the level in Groenlo.
“It’s different from what I’m used to in Sweden. The players there are good and semi-professional. The boys here are enormously talented, have great ball control, and possess excellent technical skills.”
John Heitinga: A Tournament with a Family Feel
Former Ajax player and coach John Heitinga, who participated in the tournament in 1997 and 1998, attended this year as a football father. His son, Lennox, played for Ajax. Heitinga expressed his enthusiasm: “Huge compliments to the organization! The tournament is perfectly organized and at a very high level. The young players can showcase their skills here, even against teams from other continents. Staying in the bungalow park creates a sense of unity, like a family.”
A Successful Tournament Despite Changeable Weather
Tournament Chairman Marco Frank drew a positive conclusion: “Despite the changeable weather, there was a relaxed atmosphere, and everything ran like clockwork. The 300 volunteers, teams, and referees worked together to deliver a fantastic event. The sponsor evening was a great success, and there were no incidents. The focus was entirely on football – what more could you want?”
Final: Flamengo Clinches Deserved 1-0 Victory Over Ajax
In the final, Flamengo secured a 1-0 victory over Ajax. A deserved win, according to general consensus. As volunteers restored the sports hall to its original state in record time, the tournament concluded with an unforgettable final.
Final Standings
- Flamengo
- Ajax
- Palmeiras
- Sporting Clube de Portugal
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Feyenoord
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- Right to Dream
- PSV
- FC Twente/Heracles
- VFL Wolfsburg
- Grol
Awards
- Player of the Tournament: Lennox Heitinga (Ajax)
- Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Mees Bosma (Ajax)
- Fair Play Cup: FC Twente/Heracles
- Tonny Hartman Trophy (Most Valuable Player of Grol): Lukas Gelinck
- Top Scorers: Ephendrich Rijsenburg (Feyenoord), Gabriel Henrique Da Silva Bueno (Palmeiras), Wandslan Moraes (Flamengo) – 5 goals each
