IFX Spain player McParland takes on Espanyol and Villarreal

BARCELONA, SPAIN – Pro IFX Year Spain player Rory McParland and Espluguenc meets Espanyol and Villarreal in tournament

In early June, Canadian midfielder, Rory McParland, and his club Espluguenc competed in the seventh edition of the Youth Tournament Ciutat d ‘Esplugues. Although Espluguenc game up short losing all three of their matches, they could be proud they shirted up against some of the best Spanish football academy teams in the nation. Top Spanish soccer academies including Real Madrid, Villarreal, Espanyol, Sant Andreu, Can Vidalet, Cornellà and Damm gave magnificent displays over the course of the 2 day tournament. In the end it was Real Madrid who took the crown, defeating Damm CF 4-2.

With a stunning atmosphere throughout the tournament, all 8 teams fought hard. The Saturday morning festivities were vibrant, evidence that something was at stake. The tie between CF Can Vidalet and Sant Andreu, with Can Vidalet the victor on penalties put CF Can Vidalet into third place and passed on to the quarter-finals. In the last match of the morning, Damm CF and Real Madrid CF met to decide who would reach the semi-finals. Penalties again decided who took the prize, with the whites (Real Madrid) moving on to the semis. Villarreal CF was the only team to win their 3 group games putting them automatically into the semis.

RCD Espanyol with their victory over UE Cornellà and Espluguenc CFA won second place, while third place was taken by UE Cornellà. Sunday morning came with a heart-stopping energy. Two quarter-finals and the semi-finals were waiting to settle who would be the finalists. RCD Espanyol and FC Can Vidalet opened the morning. An early goal for Espanyol gave them access to the semifinals, with Real Madrid CF awaiting them. Then UE Cornellà and CF Damm played the second game of quarters. Goalless and penalties decided. The brewers’ team (CF Damm) triumphed moving on to the semi-finals against Villarreal CF.

After 7 hours of great football, the semifinals finally arrived. Real Madrid CF – RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Villarreal CF – CF Damm. The first semifinal was a complete blur. A spectacular end to the first half with three goals in just five minutes, gave Real Madrid a lead of 4 goals that Espanyol could not overcome. In the second half a parakeet goal left the match at 4-1. In the second semifinal, the brewers earned their way to the final. In a dramatic match, the CF Damm won 2-0 against Villarreal CF and went into the final with complete justice.

Top Spanish soccer academies including Real Madrid, Villarreal, Espanyol, Sant Andreu, Can Vidalet, Cornellà and Damm gave magnificent displays over the course of the 2 day tournament.
In the end it was Real Madrid who took the crown, defeating Damm CF 4-2.

Then came the final. Real Madrid CF and CF Damm met once again after the group stage. And what a great game it was enjoyed by the five hundred in attendance. CF Damm went ahead early in the first half but a golazo by Madrid tied the game. At halftime the scoreboard was in balance 1-1. The second half began as the first with an amazing goal by the master brewers. From there came the Madrid onslaught scoring three goals, first with an individual action, the third goal after a spectacular header and the last goal in the closing 5 minutes closed the match at 4-2.

The seventh edition of the Youth Tournament Ciutat d ‘Esplugues had great attendance and exemplary behavior by all teams. Real Madrid CF showed their true prowess but not without a fight.