PZPN

A meeting with players from Jan Urban's squad, the final at the PGE Narodowy, a training session with Young Eagles Academy coaches under the watchful eye of youth national team head coaches, and supporting the national team together during a match; these are the prizes that awaited the winners of Europe's largest children's football tournament. The winners of the 26th edition of the Tymbark Cup received them in a unique atmosphere, during the Poland national team's Nations League training camp.

Jan Urban: parents are very important figures in sports education

One of the topics raised during the meeting was healthy habits and the role of coaches, teachers, the school, and parents in developing them. Szymon Bocheński from Primary School No. 48 UKS Zaspa Gdańsk asked how adults can support children in building good habits related to physical activity and sport. "Be consistent in what you do, and get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Coaches are there to help you with this, to ensure you enjoy training and playing. There is no doubt that parents are very important figures in your lives and education, but also in your sports education. If they help you and lead by example, it will certainly be easier for you. If you see them sitting at home watching films or TV series, get them out to the playground. Go for a bike ride to spend a fun afternoon," said the Poland national team head coach, Jan Urban.

Tymoteusz Puchacz on pre-match rituals

Oliwia Punka, a pupil at the Primary School in Piotrowice, the winning team in the U-10 girls' category, directed her question to Tymoteusz Puchacz and asked the player about his pre-match rituals. The Poland international spoke about how he prepares for matches and revealed what he listens to before stepping onto the pitch. "Before a match, I try to eat similar meals, for example, rice pudding. If I have an evening match, I also take a nap, and just before the match itself, I listen to Japanese rock. I have a specific playlist and I listen to Japanese songs," said Tymoteusz Puchacz. When asked where his interest in Japanese rock came from, he added: "I am an anime fan, and these songs are so-called openings, meaning the tracks that play at the beginning of an episode. I like listening to them because they put me in a good mood, and then I can really get into the zone."

Piotr Zieliński: "Be yourselves"

The winners in the U-12 girls' category from Primary School No. 48 UKS ZASPA Gdańsk asked Piotr Zieliński what advice he would give to players who have received their first call-up to the national team. To begin with, Piotr congratulated all the winners and mentioned that he had also played in the Tymbark Cup in the past.

"Be yourselves, train hard, listen to the senior players, and enjoy every day spent at the national team training camp. It is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a footballer: being able to represent your country. Also, draw on the experience of the older players, because you can certainly learn a lot from them," said Piotr Zieliński. "Every young player who has come here for the first, second, or third time is a great player, but above all, a really nice person, and they will certainly bring us a lot of joy," added the Poland international.

During the meeting, pupils from the Kowale Primary School asked Marcin Bułka which international he would most like to swap places with on the pitch. The goalkeeper pointed to Robert Lewandowski. A moment later, the national team captain received a similar question. Robert Lewandowski said that he would prefer to stay in the striker position, but he could potentially swap positions with Marcin Bułka.

Does playing together at club level help with national team performances? A question for the "Porto trio"

One of the core values of the Tymbark Cup is cooperation and shared experiences, which is why players from SMS Stal Rzeszów asked this very question to Jan Bednarek, Oskar Pietuszewski, and Jakub Kiwior, who play for FC Porto at club level.

"Being together in a team, firstly, if you are a new player, it is easier to settle in. There are always difficult moments, and when you have a compatriot by your side, it is always a bit easier, and you feel support from the other person. As for the national team, when we train together on a daily basis, we have many shared training sessions and conversations, so when we arrive here, we understand each other's actions on the pitch or in training a bit better, simply because we get to know each other," says Jan Bednarek.

"I think this translates onto the pitch. The fact that we are at Porto on a daily basis certainly helps us. We have each other every day, so no matter what happens on or off the pitch, we can count on each other. I am glad that we are together at Porto and that we can play not only in the league, but also in the Champions League, and test ourselves against top teams. It certainly helps," adds Oskar Pietuszewski.

Roles reversed. A question from Jan Bednarek

After a series of questions from the children, the host reversed the roles and asked whether the players had anything to say to the young footballers. Jan Bednarek took the initiative and asked the winners of the 26th edition of the Tymbark Cup what they do to develop individually, and how often they stay behind after training. The young players smiled as they answered the international's question and spoke about their training sessions. Following the group conversations and photos, it was time for individual autographs and brief chats.

A chance to fulfil more dreams: registration for the 27th edition of the Tymbark Cup is now open!

From 1 September 2026, preschool and school teachers (e.g. physical education and early years education teachers), parents (with the headteacher's consent), and coaches can register teams for the 27th edition of the Tymbark Cup. Teams can be registered by completing the form on the website: www.puchartymbark.pl. Primary schools and preschools can enter the tournament. The competition is aimed at pupils in three age categories: U-8, U-10, and U-12. Children born in 2019 and 2020 will play in the U-8 category; those born in 2017 and 2018 in the U-10 category; and those born in 2015 and 2016 in the U-12 category.