In a landmark achievement for Indian football, Minerva Academy FC’s U-14 team clinched the prestigious Norway Cup 2025, the world’s largest youth football tournament held annually in Oslo. The team delivered a stunning performance in the final, crushing Norwegian club Sverresborg Fotball with a jaw-dropping 16-1 victory, wrapping up a campaign that has now become the stuff of legend.
Dominance Redefined
Throughout eight matches, the young stars from Punjab scored a mind-blowing 130 goals and conceded just four — a testament to their explosive attack and rock-solid defence. Their journey to the top was devoid of flashy endorsements or government funding, powered solely by sheer determination, community-driven passion, and the ethos of their grassroots academy.
From the group stages to the final, Minerva was unstoppable:
25-0 vs Aksla IL
15-0 vs Forde IL 3
22-0 vs Krokelvdalen IL
11-0 in the Round of 16
17-0 in the Pre-Quarters
18-1 in the Quarterfinals
In the semifinal, they faced their toughest challenge yet — Ramathel Charif Club from Palestine. Yet, Minerva delivered again with an 8-2 victory, powered by a hat-trick from Reeson and goals from Raj and Punshiba.
The final saw stellar performances from Danamoni and Raj, both scoring hat-tricks, sealing an emphatic 16-1 win that stunned the Oslo crowd and brought global recognition to India’s rising football force.
From Local Roots to Global Headlines
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Punjab, Minerva Academy FC has long been committed to identifying and nurturing youth talent. With a network of over 100 residential academies across India, the club has quietly been shaping the future of Indian football, away from the limelight.
Their recent victory in the Norway Cup adds to a growing list of accolades, including titles at the Gothia Cup 2023 and Dana Cup 2025, further cementing their reputation as a global contender in youth football.
Victory Without Corporate Crutches
What makes this achievement particularly remarkable is that it was accomplished without any corporate or governmental sponsorship. The academy’s rise has been entirely fueled by its mission to provide opportunities for underrepresented youth, proving that community-driven sports development can yield world-class results.
Minerva’s story defies the conventional narrative that success is only possible with big money. Instead, it highlights what is possible when talent is backed by belief, discipline, and grassroots support.
A Call to Empower Youth Sports
The historic win is more than just a sporting success. It’s a wake-up call for India’s sports ecosystem. It challenges policymakers, institutions, and civil society to ask hard questions:
Why are such passionate grassroots efforts still operating without support?
How can we build infrastructure that empowers children from all backgrounds to compete globally?
What steps can be taken to make sports more inclusive, empathy-driven, and accessible?
As the nation basks in the glow of Minerva Academy’s historic win, it also opens the door for deeper dialogue around sports policy, youth development, and the untapped potential waiting in every corner of India.
This isn’t just a victory on the pitch. It’s a blueprint for transformation.