Club Raja, “V” de Victoria, Obiles and Construcciones Pinillos were the winners of the tournament
The 36th Mequinenza Futsal Marathon concluded without any notable incidents, according to a statement released by the town council. A positive atmosphere prevailed among both the players and the spectators who witnessed the hundred matches played over a weekend marked by the heat. A total of 30 teams—14 in the senior category, 6 in the women's category, 4 in the veterans' category, and 6 in the youth category (corresponding to the 11th Maikel Fornos Memorial Tournament)—came from the towns of Zaragoza, Lleida, Sabadell, Fraga, and Mequinenza. Nearly 300 players participated in the competition, organized by Mequinenza Futsal in collaboration with the Mequinenza Town Council.
The senior category final was without any local representatives after Club Raja eliminated Rosaflor, the surprise team of the tournament, in the semifinals, and Fractals defeated Bar 3 Parrillas on penalties. The championship was decided in extra time after a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation time. Club Raja ultimately secured a 3-2 victory over Fractals, who hit the crossbar in the dying moments of extra time while desperately seeking an equalizer.
The winners didn't lose a single match in the tournament, and their player Ismael Kamal, who scored the final goal, won the awards for best player of the final and top scorer, while Ismael Jalal was named best player of the tournament. The ideal five for the category consisted of Iván Abella from Rosaflor, Brahim Daoui from Club Raja, Joel García from Fractals, Pau Soler from Bar 3 Parrillas, and Óscar Roca from Tabaltes, whose team was recognized for the best performance in the tournament.
In the women's category, Victoria's "V" team secured a 2-1 victory against Terres de Lleida. Victoria had previously eliminated Athletic Cítara in the semifinals with a lone goal from Carla Bosch, who also won the Best Player award. Terres de Lleida then defeated D90 Vino Tinto Fútbol Sala on penalties after a goalless draw. The champions were the better side and took control of the final in the opening minutes. Their opponents refused to give up and narrowed the gap in the final minutes. The ideal five consisted of Paula Samper and Silvia Castillo from Victoria's "V", María Bea from Terres de Lleida, Laura Baldovín from D90 Vino Tinto Fútbol Sala, and Andrea Montull from Athletic Cítara.
In the youth category, at the XI Maikel Fornos Memorial, the final of the previous edition was repeated between Construcciones Pinillos and Wembley Sport Bar with a victory for the former by 2 goals to 0 after eliminating in the semifinals, respectively, Mequinenza Fútbol Sala, in penalties after 6 shots, and Sabor Kebab Café, coming back from an initial 2 0 with three goals from Martín Roca who took the trophy for top scorer.
The final between the two teams was very open and hard-fought, and wasn't decided until the very end. The best player of the tournament was Mario Palau, from Sabor Kebab Café, and the ideal five consisted of Martín Roca, from Wembley Sport Bar, Dani Sinoglu, from Construcciones Pinillos, Luka Blas, from Mequinenza Fútbol Sala, Julen Moseguí, from P&G, and Víctor Catalán, also from Mequinenza Fútbol Sala.
The senior category victory went to Obiles with a comfortable 4-0 win in the final against Sandra Fisio, with David Oliver of Obiles named best player of the tournament. Obiles had eliminated Aston Birra thanks to a strong start and without difficulty, while Sandra Fisio narrowly defeated Kurkons in a hard-fought semifinal.
At the end of the XXXVI Mequinenza Futsal Marathon and X Maikel Fornos Memorial, the Mequinenza Futsal players, winners of the Cup and the Regional Futsal League this season, thanked coaches Patxi Álvarez and Luis Viu.
The awards ceremony then took place, attended by representatives of Mequinenza Fútbol Sala, Desi Fornos, who presented the award for best player of the X Maikel Fornos Memorial on behalf of the family, Débora Bravo, first deputy mayor and councilor for urban planning and services, Miguel Ángel Llop, councilor for sports and information and communication technologies, Raquel Caballé, councilor for education, and councilors Pili Catalán and José María Algueró.
