KUDUS – Applause echoed throughout the Bung Karno Sports Hall in Wergu Wetan, Kudus, with every scoring chance created. On the sidelines, coaches issued constant instructions as players fought to advance their teams to the next round. Over the two-day event held on August 1–2, 2026, the Supersoccer Euro Futsal Championship 2026 – City Playoff Kudus showcased fierce competition between European football supporter communities and university futsal teams from across Central Java.
A total of 26 teams competed in the Kudus series, comprising 16 community-category squads and 10 university-category teams. Participants traveled from cities including Kudus, Semarang, Salatiga, Blora, Rembang, Grobogan, Pati, Demak, Jepara, and Purwodadi. Each team brought its unique style and ambition, all sharing a single goal: to emerge as the top representative of the Supersoccer Euro Futsal Championship 2026 – City Playoff Kudus and progress to the next stage of the national tournament.
For the participants, the stakes were high from the opening whistle. No match was considered easy, as every point proved critical in the race to the knockout stage. The Bung Karno Sports Hall remained vibrant throughout the two-day event; as one match concluded, the next teams were already preparing to take the court. Outside the arena, players warmed up, coaches refined their tactics, and supporters filled the stands in their community colors.
The opening day featured the group stage, with teams displaying high intensity from the start. While some squads pushed forward with aggressive, fast-paced play, others opted for a more patient, possession-based approach, ensuring that every matchup presented unique tactical challenges.
By the second day, the stakes rose as the tournament shifted into the knockout phase. With the smallest error threatening to end a team's championship run, players maintained greater discipline and caution. The battles for possession grew increasingly physical, drawing loud cheers from the spectators.
Fikie Saputra, coach of the Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus) Semarang futsal team, noted the balanced quality of the competition in the City Playoff Kudus, stating that every opponent was well-prepared and posed a credible threat.
“We prepared for this tournament well in advance. Despite some core players being unavailable, the rest of the squad is ready to perform and give their best. Every team here is strong and cannot be underestimated. Whoever is the most prepared will emerge as the champion,” he said.
Udinus Semarang captain Andhika Surya Kurniatama echoed this sentiment. Facing opponents from various regions, including the host city, provided a significant challenge, with an intense match atmosphere felt from the very first minute.
“The intensity of the matches is very high. The opponents from Kudus played exceptionally well, making it a very engaging contest. Every team has its own strengths, but we are ready to fight for the win,” he added.
The match atmosphere is built by more than just the players on the court. The presence of supporters from various communities has brought added energy to the City Playoff Kudus. Filling the stands since the morning, fans arrived with community banners, wore their team jerseys, and cheered tirelessly for their respective squads.
For Aninda Faris, a supporter of Milanisti Semarang, this year’s Supersoccer Euro Futsal Championship – City Playoff Kudus marked her first time attending the tournament in person. She traveled to Kudus to support her husband, who was competing for Milanisti Semarang.
"The atmosphere is incredible. The matches are intense but a joy to watch," she said.
Despite bringing her baby to the stands, Aninda enjoyed the proceedings from start to finish. She noted that the tournament was well-organized, allowing spectators to follow the matches comfortably. She added that the participation of teams and communities from various regions created a much livelier atmosphere than the typical futsal competitions she has attended in the past.
Event chairman and coordinator Bayu Tria stated that the Supersoccer Euro Futsal Championship 2026 has been held consistently for nearly eight years as a platform for football supporter groups, futsal enthusiasts, and students to compete while strengthening their bonds.
“This event has been running for nearly seven to eight years. Its purpose is to serve as a hub for fan clubs, football enthusiasts, and students to exercise while fostering community ties,” he said.
According to Bayu, beyond providing competitive matches, the tournament is designed to offer participants and spectators a comprehensive experience through various supporting activities. With this concept, the City Playoff has become more than just a search for winners in each city; it is a space that brings together futsal communities from different regions in an atmosphere of healthy competition.
Following matches from the group stage through to the knockout rounds, the Kudus series of the Supersoccer Euro Futsal Championship 2026 has produced the top teams advancing to the next stage. In the university category, Universitas Semarang (USM) emerged as champions after demonstrating consistent performance throughout the two-day event.
USM’s campaign began with a 3-0 victory over Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana (UKSW) in the preliminary round. Their momentum continued with a narrow 1-0 win against Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus) to secure a semifinal berth. In the final four, USM maintained their strong form by defeating Universitas Negeri Semarang (Unnes) 3-0.
The final proved to be the ultimate test. Facing Universitas Wahid Hasyim (Unwahas), the match remained tightly contested until the final minutes, with both sides trading chances and defensive efforts. Through a high-intensity battle, USM ultimately clinched victory with a 5-4 scoreline, securing the Supersoccer Euro Futsal Championship 2026 – Kudus City Playoff title.
Sudarmono, supervisor of the USM Futsal student organization, attributed the result to the rigorous training process the players have undergone. According to him, the success in Kudus is a testament to the hard work, discipline, and fighting spirit cultivated within the team.
“This success is the result of hard work, discipline, and a strong fighting spirit. The entire team is grateful for this achievement. We must now refocus on our training, as there are many more championships ahead. We will continue to improve our skills and maintain a winning mentality to uphold the reputation of Universitas Semarang on a higher stage,” he said.
USM team captain Valucia Chivu credited the title not to any individual, but to the collective teamwork displayed from the preparation period through to the final match.
“We are very grateful to bring this title home to Universitas Semarang. All the players worked hard, supported each other, and fought until the final minute of every match,” he said.
USM coach Seftian echoed these sentiments, noting that the team focused on more than just technical and tactical training. He emphasized building the mental fortitude necessary for players to withstand the pressure of high-stakes matches.
“The players followed instructions perfectly and demonstrated incredible fighting spirit in every match. We prioritized not only technical and tactical aspects but also developed the team's mental toughness and cohesion,” he said.
Success in Kudus is only the beginning. The Supersoccer Euro Futsal Championship 2026 is a tiered competition hosted across 12 Indonesian cities: Jakarta, Tangerang, Bekasi, Purwokerto, Kudus, Yogyakarta, Indramayu, Cimahi, Tasikmalaya, Tulungagung, Surabaya, and Pasuruan.
The top teams from each City Playoff will advance to the Regional Finals, scheduled for September to October 2026 in Jakarta, Garut, Solo, and Surabaya. From there, regional champions will secure their place in the National Grand Final in October 2026.
For the participants, this tiered structure gives every city-level match significant weight. The journey to the national stage begins with every victory earned during the City Playoff.
Event coordinator Bayu Tria expressed hope that the tournament will continue to serve as a platform for developing futsal talent capable of competing at the highest levels.
“Our goal is to discover new players who can eventually excel on both the national and international stages,” he said.
Over the two-day event, GOR Bung Karno served as more than just a venue; it was a meeting point for teams from across Central Java. The fierce competition on the court was underscored by consistent sportsmanship from the opening match to the closing ceremony.
The inclusion of European football fan clubs and university teams added a unique dynamic. Each city brought a distinct style of play, turning every match into an opportunity to gauge skill levels while showcasing the growth of futsal in their respective regions.
For Kudus, hosting the Supersoccer Euro Futsal Championship 2026 City Playoff adds to its growing list of national sporting events. The influx of teams, coaches, officials, and supporters demonstrates that sports tournaments do more than foster competition; they unite diverse communities under a shared passion.
The 2026 Supersoccer Euro Futsal Championship Kudus City Playoff series serves as a vital leg in the nationwide competition bringing together teams from across Indonesia. Over two days, the tournament featured intense play, showcasing the growth of community and collegiate futsal in Central Java as teams competed for a spot in the next round. (JMY/mainkekudus)
