Plazma Youth Games mark 30th season with international final in Split

The 30th season of the Plazma Youth Sports Games culminated in an international final in Split that gathered 1,224 children from six countries and turned the anniversary into a regional celebration of grassroots sport.

Held from August 17 to 22, the finals brought together the top young competitors from North Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia and a guest delegation from Ukraine. Events on the programme included Coca Cola Cup (age group 2011), mini-football, athletics, 3x3 basketball, indoor volleyball and beach volleyball, handball, chess, table tennis, dodgeball and tennis.

North Macedonia took part in the tournament for the first time this season as a member of the Plazma Games family. Domestically the Games reached 27,271 children across the country in their debut season; 151 young athletes together with 52 teachers and mentors represented the country at the international final in Split. In Split the Macedonian teams returned with seven medals — three silver and four bronze — a result that organisers and families celebrated as an encouraging start.

“The smiles on the children’s faces must be our greatest victory,” said Elena Mickovska, president of the Plazma Youth Sports Games in North Macedonia. “Plazma Youth Sports Games exist precisely for them and make free sport available for every child. The international final in Split will be an experience for life. All the children enjoyed the days spent in that city, and they returned with a great experience and richer by new friendships. The Games truly are special. A number of sporting legends were present in one place, who looked on the children with great respect and sent an important message: there is room for everyone in sport and everyone is equal, regardless of where they come from. I want to express my deep gratitude to the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia and to Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, who without hesitation stood behind the young people and this project,” Mickovska added.

Coca‑Cola Cup and tournament figures

One of the central highlights was the Coca‑Cola Cup, Europe’s largest amateur mini‑football tournament. This year the Cup counted 172,748 participants across 703 tournaments, underscoring the competition’s scale and grassroots reach.

In the boys’ 2011 age group the trophy went to Futsal Istra from Pula, who beat Serbia’s Duel Trial 3:1 in the final; Mladost Krivaja from Bosnia and Herzegovina finished third after a 7:2 win over Macedonian side Saraj. Women’s participation also continued to grow: this season’s Coca‑Cola Cup attracted 17,445 girls. In the girls’ 2011 final ŽNK Aluminij Kidričevo (Slovenia) defeated Čačak (Serbia) 2:1; Arena Pula secured third place by beating Macedonia’s Tigrici on penalties 3:2 after a 0:0 draw in regular time.

Medals and awards were presented by well‑known football figures including Slaven Bilić, Aljoša Asanović, Sean Dyche, Marcel Desailly, Dimitrios Rompis, Javier Meza, Darko Vučić and Zdravko Marić. The Plazma Games’ partnership with UEFA and the UEFA Foundation for Children, established in 2020, underlines the event’s focus on youth and women’s sport development.

The international final also offered cultural moments: a ceremony at the Croatian National Theatre in Split gave Macedonian participants the chance to present recognitions to sports legends in person. With the 30th season closed, organisers say preparations for the next season have already begun.

Photo: press material from the event