International Cadet Club Football Tournament

Dear athletes, esteemed coaches, honored guests and friends of football, welcome to the 5th Olea U-17 Cup 2025!

We launched this tournament with the goal of giving young players the chance to grow, develop and create new friendships. Today, five years later, it has become a recognized event bringing together teams from Croatia, the region and abroad. The tournament would not exist without the joint effort of the City of Novalja and Mayor Ivan Dabo, the Tourist Board, NK Novalja, the Croatian Football Federation and its president Marijan Kustić, as well as all sponsors and partners who have supported this project and made it possible for teams from Croatia, the region and abroad to take part. Ahead of us are days filled with football, fair play and friendships that go beyond the pitch. I am certain this tournament will remain a lasting memory for young players, and for all of us a reminder of how much unity and love for sport bring us together. Enjoy the matches, enjoy Novalja – and let football be the winner!

Boris Milanović

Sports Director of the Olea U-17 Cup

Hotel Olea and the town of Novalja hosted the 5th Olea Cup U-17 International Football Tournament from October 27 to 31, 2025, featuring numerous youth teams from Croatia and abroad:

- Ferencvárosi TC (Hungary)
- ŠK Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)
- Keflavík ÍF (Island)
- FK Sarajevo (Bosnia and Hercegovina)
- NK Rijeka (Croatia)
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
- HNK Hajduk Split (Croatia)
- NK Osijek (Croatia)

Olea U-17 Cup 2025 delivered four days of top-level youth football in Novalja and Zadar, filled with great atmosphere and unforgettable matches. NK Osijek claimed the championship title, defeating NK Rijeka 3–1 in the final. Jakov Dedić was the standout player of the tournament – named both Best Player and Top Scorer, leading Osijek to glory with three goals. Second place went to NK Rijeka, who impressed with their attacking style and finished as the most efficient team of the tournament with 10 goals scored. FK Sarajevo earned a well-deserved third place with nine goals, defeating GNK Dinamo Zagreb 3–0 in the bronze medal match. GNK Dinamo ended as one of the most dangerous attacking sides with eight goals, while Slovan Bratislava and Ferencváros each added memorable moments of their own. The Best Goalkeeper award went to Niko Džaja from NK Rijeka, while the Fair Play trophy was awarded to Hajduk Split.

With a total of 39 goals scored, the tournament offered thrilling finishes, spectacular plays, and pure youthful energy. Osijek and Rijeka dominated the group stages, while Sarajevo confirmed its status as a consistent and competitive regional contender.

The tournament once again confirmed the status of the Olea Cup as one of the most important regional showcases of young football talent. With fair play, passion, and spectacular goals, the Olea U-17 Cup 2025 concluded with a clear message — the future of football is growing right here, on the island of Pag.

Matches from the tournament are available for viewing on our official YouTube channel.

We are extremely glad that this sport event of ours, in which we invested a lot of effort and commitment, was recognized and highly rated in professional circles, supported by the Croatian Football Association and numerous renowned football names such as Zlatko Dalić, Damir Mišković, Dario Šimić , Marijan Kustić, Zorislav Srebrić, etc.

We believe that year after year we are building real and solid foundations for this football tournament to be a true carrier of quality, and a popular sport event with international significance. It is our honour to contribute to the development of young soccer talents and local sports activities, as well as to combine sports and sportsmanship with our top tourist service.

The tournament is held in cooperation with the Football Club of Novalja, under the patronage of the Croatian Football Association, the City of Novalja and the Tourist Board of the City of Novalja. We also thank all sponsors for their support and long-term cooperation, and we continue to build together the foundations of this positive sport story.

Brochure Olea Cup U-17 2025