Sheremetyev Cup U20
The Sheremetyev Cup U20 is a prestigious youth football tournament held in Russia for teams of players under 20 years old. It provides a vital platform for talents from the academies of RPL and FNL clubs to showcase their skills at a competitive level, drawing the eyes of scouts, coaches, and fans eager to spot the next generation of Russian football stars.
History and foundation
Named after prominent football figure Viktor Sheremetyev, who significantly contributed to youth football development in the USSR and Russia, the tournament's inaugural edition took place in the early 2000s. It has since become a staple in the youth calendar. Notable moments include CSKA's 2018 triumph with a 4-1 final win and the 2015 'Spartak' vs 'Lokomotiv' match halted due to a brawl. Alumni include Fedor Chalov and Aleksei Miranchuk.
Tournament format
The format features a group stage with 16 teams divided into four groups of four. The top two from each advance to the knockout phase: round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. Matches occur on neutral venues in the Moscow region over about two weeks, with standard 45-minute halves.
Interesting facts
The tournament boasts high scoring, averaging 3.5 goals per game, highlighting the attacking flair of youth football. All-time top scorer Artem Dzyuba netted 12 goals for Spartak in 2006. Recent standouts: Timur Dzhafarov (Krasnodar, 9 in 2022) and Ivan Oblyakov (CSKA). Standout players include Zenit's Georgiy Melkonyan for his dribbling and Dynamo's Nikolay Sysuev for set-pieces. It's known for open play and individual brilliance.