Honvéd Cup: Introducing Elche

At the international U15 tournament our team were drawn in a group with the age-group sides of Paris Saint-Germain and Elche. The latter were founded more than a century ago and currently compete in Spain's top division, La Liga. Interestingly, this is their 25th season in the top flight. The Spanish club returned to the first division in 2025–26 after a two-year absence. Elche have won the second division twice in their history, while their greatest cup run came in 1969, when they reached the Copa del Rey final before losing 1–0 to Athletic Bilbao. 

Elche have operated youth teams for decades, but in 2024 the club launched the new international Elche CF Academy programme. The programme focuses on developing young talent while offering students opportunities to improve through international camps and training. Elche CF has become a leading force in its region and now competes with Spain's elite academies. 

Elche squad: 

Goalkeepers: Sergio Parra García, Pablo Fernández Sposaro

Defenders: Javier Terol Almiñana, Neizan Parra Gonzalez, Samuel Navarro Gomez, Adrián Valero Salmerón, Rafael Irles Castaños, Marc Verdú Masiá, Julián Andrés Vasquez Cano, Héctor Barceló Soler

Midfielders: Marc Sempere Antón, Iker Picó Tenza, Jorge Clemente Rodríguez, Mario Gálvez Montaño, Alejandro de Juan García

Forwards: Derek Enrique Martinez Recuerda, Marco Muñoz Alarcón, Samuel Martínez Noreña, Pablo Cañizares Ruíz, José Kuwac Serneguet García

Rubens Hernandez Mula, Elche CF youth technical director: 

“It is a great honour for us to have been invited to this tournament, which brings together major clubs and important names in European football. I recently had the opportunity to see Budapest Honvéd FC's facilities first-hand, as well as the excellent work being carried out within the club. Based on that visit and the extremely positive impressions we took away, we enthusiastically accepted the invitation that came up during our meeting. Participating in a tournament of this level is a special honour for us from professional, sporting and educational perspectives alike. We are convinced that experiences of this kind are of great value for our players' development, as they allow them to compete against clubs from different countries, experience new football cultures and continue to develop both on and off the pitch.”