It has been a great tournament with lots of spectators. Teams from all over the world came to try to win the cup. AC Milan, AFC Ajax, Ajax Cape Town, Besiktas, Desportivo Brasil, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munchen and Manchester United all had their best U17 team sent to Amsterdam.
Complete list of my personal favourite players during the tournament:
AC Milan: Mario Piccinocchi
AFC Ajax: Elton Acolatse, Branco van den Boomen
FC Barcelona: Iu Ranera Grau, Joel Huertas Cornudella, Maximiliano Brian Rolon
FC Bayern Munchen: Lennart Ingmann
Manchester United: Mats Dæhli
Piccinocchi, Iu, Ingmann and Dæhli are the midfielders with good passing, players who keep working, who keep asking for the ball and have the talent to find the right teamplayer to pass the ball to. They have the drive forward but know when to slow down the game.
Piccinocchi reminds me most of Kaka in his Milan years. A little bit shy, not that physical but great positioning, makes the right choises on the pitch and has a good pass.
Iu is a more dangerous midfielder when he gets his chances to score. He starts an attack and can be found in front of the goal when there's some space for him to be dangerous. He can score both by foot and by heading.
Ingmann is a hard worker, reminds me a bit of Schweinsteiger. Technically good but only when he needs to.
Dæhli can be compared to Scholes. Not that physical but a good pass and he wants to go to the goal.
Acolatse and Maxi were the best wingers on the tournament. Both very dangerous. Acolatse showed to be a great finisher scoring 3 goals on the tournament. Maxi was the player who prepared most of the danger of FC Barcelona. The right winger gave some good assist during the tournament.
Van den Boomen was one of the players who played every minute and he showed how a real captain should be. Working hard, putting the teammembers on the right position, being dangerous when the game asks for it, getting the bit of luck needed to become champions. The midfielder is physically strong, tall and has a good technique.
Acolatse
Papamelodias
Dæhli
Celebrating the 2-2 with the fans
Mous stopping one of the penalties
Xavier Mous, waiting for his next turn
Menig, scoring the last penalty in the final. AFC Ajax wins the AEGON Future Cup.
