New Delhi: Minerva Academy FC scripted another historic chapter in Indian youth football by defeating defending champions HJK 1-0 in the final to win the 2026 Helsinki Cup in Finland.
The Chandigarh based academy claimed the prestigious title a year after finishing runners up in the same tournament, completing a remarkable redemption story.
The victory marked another milestone in Minerva’s growing dominance on the European youth football circuit. After narrowly missing out on the Helsinki Cup title last year despite an unbeaten run to the final, the academy returned determined to finish the job and secured the one major European youth trophy that had previously eluded them.
Minerva dominated the competition from start to finish, scoring more than 50 goals during an extraordinary campaign. The team opened with a 6-1 win over FC Valtti before recording emphatic victories over Helsingin Palloseura and EBK, including an 11-0 triumph in which T. Kipgen scored six goals.
The knockout stage was equally impressive. Minerva overwhelmed Helsingin Ponnistus 19-0 before advancing to the quarterfinals, where they produced one of the tournament’s standout performances with a 6-0 victory over HJK. They then defeated Käpylän Pallo 9-0 in the semifinals before edging HJK 1-0 in the title clash to lift the trophy.
Several players delivered outstanding performances throughout the tournament. T. Kipgen, Yohenba, Rimoson, Haokip, Nongdren, Paikhomba, Wangshem and Donald all made significant contributions as the Indian side consistently outclassed its European opponents.
The Helsinki Cup triumph follows another memorable season for Minerva Academy. Earlier this year, the academy stunned Liverpool’s Under 15 side with a 6-0 victory in the Mediterranean International Cup in Spain. In 2025, Minerva also became the first Indian team to win the Norway Cup and lifted the Dana Cup in Denmark, further cementing its reputation as one of Asia’s leading youth football academies.
With the Helsinki Cup now added to its impressive list of achievements, Minerva has already shifted its focus to the Gothia Cup in Sweden, where it will aim to continue its remarkable success on the European stage.