We told you that a decade ago in Maribor, Slovenia, 3 Romanian teams made the EMF Champions League semi final along with one Hungarian team and the Hungarian team walked away with the title, well history’s repeated itself as The Private Rooftop from their countries capital city, are champions of Europe for the very first time after a day of high drama and three, that’s right, 3, penalty shootout victories in a row.
In the Quarter Final, The Private Rooftop knocked out Zire Baku in the shootout after the game ended 0-0 in normal time, less than 24 hours later they knocked out the much fancied, Extraterestrii 2014 Bistrita, after another nail-biting shootout drama, again, after the game finished 0-0 in normal time.
Then we got to the final and it was expected by many that this was a bridge too far for the Hungarians, up against the reigning champions from Romania, Nova Vita Targu Mures, made up of most of their countries national team players, but despite a tense final and Nova Vita being the better side and creating more chances, the game again ended up 0-0 and we went to yet another penalty shootout to decide the 2026 European Champions.
After racing into a 2-0 lead, it looked like The Private Rooftop would become champions, but Nova Vita hit back and after two great saves from the spot, doubt crept in, and we went in to sudden death, but after the Hungarian shot-stopper had saved two penalties himself, he then stepped up to convert the winning penalty and the team and fans partied long into the night and they will be back in 2027 to defend their title and look to be the first team to win it back to back since their fellow countrymen, Mad Dogs.
It’s been a memorable tournament, more highs than lows, fun, laughter, and enjoyment mixed with sadness, tears and regret, but it will take some topping to find a better Minifootball club tournament anywhere in the world that even comes close to the EMF Champions League.