Minerva Academy U-14 Creates History: How a Team from Punjab Dominated Europe’s Elite Youth Tournaments

In a year marked by administrative uncertainty and on-field struggles for Indian football, a group of teenagers from Mohali delivered a story that has captivated the global footballing community. Minerva Academy U-14 has achieved what many thought impossible — winning three of Europe’s most prestigious youth tournaments in a single season: the Gothia Cup in Sweden, the Dana Cup in Denmark, and the Norway Cup in Norway.

A Historic Treble That Shook European Football

Winning any one of these tournaments is an achievement. Winning all three in the same season? Unprecedented. In 2025, Minerva became the first team in history to pull off this treble, cementing its place in youth football folklore.

• 26-match unbeaten streak

• Fastest goal in Norway Cup history – 3.8 seconds

• 130 goals in a single tournament (Norway Cup)

• Biggest winning margins in Dana and Norway Cup finals

The dominance was absolute. From Gothenburg to Hjørring to Oslo, the Indian team crushed elite European opposition, recording emphatic scorelines that stunned seasoned scouts and coaches alike.

Record-Breaking Runs and Ruthless Efficiency

The Norway Cup group stage was a statement:

• 25-0 vs Aksla IL

• 15-0 vs Førde IL 3

• 22-0 vs Krokelvdalen IL

Knockouts followed the same script — 11-0, 17-0, 18-1, and an 8-2 semi-final win over Palestine’s Ramthael Chareef Club. In the final, Norwegian powerhouse SIF fell 14-1 to Minerva’s relentless press and attacking precision.

The Heroes Behind the Miracle

Names like Raj, Punshiba, Denamoni, K. Chetan, Reoson, Tony, Amarson, Chingkhei, Azam, Rhythm, and Mahtab will now echo in Indian football history. Raj finished as the top scorer with 60 goals across three tournaments. Yet, what truly set this team apart was its cohesion, discipline, and tactical intelligence.

Training Like Europe to Beat Europe

This wasn’t a fairy tale built on luck. Minerva’s preparation was methodical and brutal. Anticipating Scandinavian time zones, the boys trained at 3 a.m. every day for weeks, enduring rigorous sessions involving tactical drills, conditioning, mental exercises, and recovery cycles.

“Waking up at 2:30–3 a.m. for training was tough, but we knew we had to do whatever it took to win,” said forward K. Chetan Tiwari.

The academy invested in sports science, nutrition, and psychological conditioning to replicate the standards of elite European setups — a rarity in Indian football.

The Visionary Behind It All: Ranjit Bajaj

At the heart of this success stands Ranjit Bajaj, founder of Minerva Punjab FC. His philosophy is clear:

“If we want to compete with Europe, we must prepare like Europe.”

Bajaj was hands-on — from 3 a.m. sessions to match-day logistics. For him, this was never about Minerva alone; it was about Indian football proving it belongs on the world stage.

Why This Matters for Indian Football

At a time when the Indian Super League faces uncertainty, the national team struggles, and fans are losing hope, Minerva’s triumph is a ray of light. It proves that with structured development, scientific training, and mental conditioning, Indian players can dominate globally.

As Minerva prepares for the Mediterranean International Cup (MIC) in Spain, the message is loud and clear: this is just the beginning.

130 goals. A European treble. The fastest goal in tournament history.
Indian football can no longer be ignored. The world is watching.