The 7th annual Katoni Cup took center stage this weekend at Aberdeen Sports Village, as the much-loved futsal tournament returned bigger and better than ever. Sponsored by Katoni Engineering, the event expanded to a two-day format for the first time, featuring the traditional U13 competition on Saturday and the inaugural Katoni Festival for U12 teams on Sunday.

‍

‍

Competitive Action on Saturday

Saturday’s tournament saw a fierce contest among top youth sides, including Hearts, Hibernian, Ross County, St Johnstone, St Mirren, Elgin City, and Aberdeen’s own Reds and Dons teams. Storm Eowyn disrupted travel plans for Celtic, Rangers, and Hamilton, but Elgin City and West End FC stepped in at the last minute to complete the lineup.

‍

Aberdeen FC Youth Academy Director Stuart Glennie expressed his gratitude, saying:

‍

“This year we have tried to make things a bit bigger and a bit better. It is a great event, with a great atmosphere, and a great environment for the boys competing. It is made possible by Katoni and the support they give us, it is an important partnership we have with them, and we are very grateful for their continued support.

‍

"I also want to give a special mention to the teams who stepped in at the last minute to make sure we could go ahead as planned with the Katoni Cup on the Saturday.”

‍

‍

Dundee FC topped Group A on goal difference, narrowly beating out AFC Reds. In Group B, AFC Dons led the pack, followed closely by Hearts. The knockout rounds provided thrilling action, with Dundee edging past Hearts 6-4 and AFC Dons overcoming AFC Reds in a dramatic penalty shootout.

‍

‍

Unfortunately for Aberdeen, a strong Dundee FC side secured a 3-1 victory in the final over AFC Dons, with Hamish Anderson netting twice. Franklin Frimpong Owusu finished as the tournament’s top scorer, while AFC Dons’ Gavi Osula was named Player of the Tournament.

‍

‍

Sunday’s Katoni Festival Brings Fun and Energy

Sunday’s Katoni Festival offered a more relaxed but equally exciting atmosphere, as U12 teams took to the court for a day of fun matches. Loud and colorful support from the ASV balcony added to the festive feel, as young players showcased their skills.

‍

‍

Katoni CEO James Bream was delighted with the event’s success and looked ahead to next year:

‍

“Katoni Cup time is always a great time for us as a business. We enjoy coming here, and it’s great coverage for us, and it’s a fun day too. This year, we’ve got more teams, and some local teams got a great chance to show off their skills.”

‍

Bream highlighted the tournament’s unique balance between competition and community engagement:

‍

“It’s a community tournament, and it’s also elite, so there’s a competition element to it. We get to see some of the best young talent from all around Scotland coming to Aberdeen. We are proud to be from Aberdeen, so having a tournament here really means a lot to us.”

‍

With yet another edition of the Katoni Cup in the books, the tournament continues to grow in stature, providing young footballers with a top-tier futsal experience while fostering local talent and community spirit.

‍