The ninth international football tournament, Cataleya Cup, was held from 23 to 25 October in Zadar and the Zadar region, where 132 teams competed in four age categories for boys born in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The tournament featured 2,100 children from six countries, and together with coaches and parents, around 4,000 people gathered on the pitches. This was the largest edition of the tournament to date.
The organiser and host of the tournament is DSR Cataleya, and the final traditionally takes place in Privlaka. On the final day of the tournament, all placement matches were played in Privlaka on the pitches of NK Sabunjar. Over the three days, a total of seven pitches at four locations were used — in Zadar, matches were played at Višnjik and the NK Arbanasi ground, the SC Miro Surać pitches in Murvica were used for the second year running, and the final was held in Privlaka.
A total of 310 matches were played. The U-11 and U-10 categories each featured 40 teams, 36 teams participated in the U-9 category, while 16 teams were registered for the U-8 age group. Each group consisted of four teams, and the top two teams advanced to the Main Tournament. Third and fourth place in the group continued the competition through the Consolation section of the tournament.
In the Main Tournament for the 2016 age group, the final ended with Lokomotiva defeating HNK Gorica 1:0, while Istra 1961 beat Zadarnova 2:1 for third place. The standings were thus Lokomotiva, HNK Gorica, Istra 1961 and Zadarnova. The best player was David Vidović (Lokomotiva), and the best goalkeeper was Vid Budija (HNK Gorica).
In the 2017 age group, Hajduk defeated Uskok 2:0 in the final, while Špansko beat Istra 1961 0:3 for third place. The Main Tournament standings were Hajduk (Split), Uskok (Klis), Špansko and Istra 1961. The best player was David Vladislavić (Hajduk), and the best goalkeeper was Lovre Bojčić (Uskok).
The final for the 2018 age group saw Lokomotiva defeat Rudeš 5:4 on penalties after a 1:1 draw, while Hajduk beat Zadarnova 4:2 for third place. The standings were Lokomotiva, Rudeš, Hajduk and Zadarnova, with the best player and goalkeeper being Arsen Sokol (Lokomotiva) and Matej Rok Čemeljić (Rudeš).
In the 2019 age group, Zadarnova defeated NK Zagreb 3:1 in the final, while Inker beat Špansko 5:0 for third place. The standings were Zadarnova, Zagreb, Inker and Špansko, with the best player being Matej Klanac (Zadarnova) and the best goalkeeper Mauro Lipnik (NK Zagreb).
The Main Tournament was marked by Zagreb’s Lokomotiva with two first places, as well as Zadarnova with trophies for first and third place. The Consolation Tournament was dominated by Zadar teams — NK Sabunjar from Privlaka won gold and bronze medals, and the youngest Sabunjar boys in the 2019 age group won first place with a final victory against the Varaždin first division team. The Consolation Tournaments were also won by the boys from NK Arbanasi (2017 age group) and HNK Zadar (2018 age group).
In the Consolation Tournament for the 2016 age group, the final ended with Karlovac 1919 defeating Domžale 3:0, while NK Ilovac beat Solin 4:0 for third place. The standings were Karlovac 1919, Domžale, NK Ilovac and Solin. In the 2017 age group, Arbanasi defeated Zadarnova 3:0 in the final, while Sabunjar beat Dugo Selo 2:1 for third place, resulting in the standings: Arbanasi, Zadarnova, Sabunjar and Dugo Selo.
In the Consolation Tournament for the 2018 age group, HNK Zadar defeated HNK Vukovar 1991 1:4 in the final, while NK Zlatni gol beat Inker 4:1 for third place. The standings were HNK Zadar, HNK Vukovar 1991, NK Zlatni gol (Vranjic) and Inker. In the 2019 age group, Sabunjar (Privlaka) defeated Varaždin (orange) 2:0 in the final, while Zadarnova beat Varaždin (blue) 1:0 for third place. The standings were Sabunjar (Privlaka), Varaždin (orange), Zadarnova and Varaždin (blue).
The Cataleya Cup is a prestigious competition for younger age groups, organised by DSR Cataleya. Famous Croatian national team player Vedran Ćorluka, along with his teammate and namesake Vedran Ješe, presented trophies and medals for individual and team achievements, while Vedran Ješe is the organiser of the Cataleya Cup. The final in Privlaka was also attended by the mayor of the Privlaka municipality, Gašpar Begonja.
