A pair of Kona Crush squads made sure the Big Island was well represented this summer in Europe at the world’s largest youth soccer tournament.
Established in 1975, the Gothia Cup — held annually in Gothenburg, Sweden — has been dubbed the “World Youth Cup.” This year it featured more than 1,700 teams from 78 nations playing in 4,424 matches in various divisions. The Kona Crush provided two of those teams with its 2003 and 2004 boys teams.
“It is an absolute wonder,” said James Berry, who coached the 2004 Crush team. “The opening ceremonies rivaled that of the World Cup or the Olympics with around 50,000 people in a stadium, nations marching, a live concert and a spectacular fireworks show.”
The Kona Crush Soccer Academy runs a Europe trip every three years, but heading to a tournament of such scale did not come without some trepidation.
“Knowing we are from a small speck in the Pacific Ocean and traveling to the largest youth soccer tournament in the world was a little intimidating,” Berry said. “We focused on preparing the players to be both physically and mentally fit to handle what could come our way. The main goal for on the field was to play the best we could and showcase the talent this island has to offer. I believe the coaching staff were more nervous than the boys.”
The teams’ play on the field relieved some of that pressure in a hurry, with both Kona Crush squads finding their stride early.
The ‘04 team reeled off two convincing wins over clubs from Sweden (9-0) and England (6-0), before closing out the group stage with a 3-3 tie to Melleruds IF — another team from Sweden. Thanks to a hefty advantage in goal differential, the Kona boys won the group.
“We played as a team and we listened to our coach’s tactics,” Crush player Ka’elele Fernanadez said, reflecting on his team’s success.
The Crush’s 2003 team was also up to the task, winning its group with three victories against teams from Malta (2-0), Sweden (6-2) and Norway (2-0).
Both Crush squads were bounced in the playoffs — the 2003 team by German team FC Pommern Stralsund, 6-4, and the 2004 team by South African club Milano United, 5-2.
“As both teams got through their groups and into the playoffs, competition really stepped up,” Berry said. “We saw what the rest of the world really has to offer when they have huge populations and almost unlimited resources for this sport.
“For a soccer player on this island looking to really commit themselves to this sport, getting anywhere off island is very important. Seeing just how big this world really is but also knowing who they are as Hawaiian soccer players hopefully gives these young men the confidence to go forward without fear or apprehension.”
While the tournament was the centerpiece, the trip — which also featured a week-long stop in Denmark — was as much about acquiring experienced off the pitch as it was on it.
“The best part of the trip was probably just seeing all the different cultures in the world and seeing how many there are,” Fernandez said.
Berry agreed and was very pleased to see how the Crush players acclimated to being in foreign places.
“On the field, both teams played very well, showcasing Big Island soccer in style and talent. From scrimmages to tournament games, the overwhelming consensus was that these boys were a great and surprising pool of talent and commitment,” Berry said. “Off the field, all of these boys really did shine. There was concern that they would not appreciate where they were, but those concerns fell away very quickly. These boys soaked up every second of the entire experience. Taking every opportunity to talk to people — both young and old — and try new things wherever we went.
“When you tell someone you’re from the USA it is a head nod and an, ‘OK, that’s nice.’ But when you tell someone you’re from Hawaii, well, the conversation just got started,” Berry added. “These boys were true ambassadors of The Big Island. They truly spread Aloha to everyone and every place they saw.”