FC Mahou and World Pinteur renewed a familiar rivalry as Group B got underway in Lloret de Mar, bringing together two teams with considerable history in eurofootballfives tournaments. FC Mahou have been competing since 2009, while World Pinteur first joined the tournament circuit in 2016, and both sides have become recognisable names over the years. The opening Group A fixture had already provided a repeat of the 2025 Barcelona Veterans Cup semi-final, and Group B followed suit by recreating the 2024 Prague Veterans Cup semi-final. That previous meeting had finished goalless before FC Mahou prevailed in the penalty shootout, giving the English side fond memories of this particular match-up. World Pinteur, however, arrived with the opportunity to write a different ending in Lloret de Mar.

The history between the teams added an extra layer of interest to a contest that proved tightly fought from the outset. With neither side willing to give the other an easy route to goal, the match developed into a cagey encounter in which defensive discipline played a major role. FC Mahou knew that patience and organisation could be important in a fixture between two familiar opponents, while World Pinteur remained determined to find a way through and avoid another frustrating outcome against the English side. As the minutes passed without a breakthrough, the prospect of another 0-0 draw began to look increasingly likely.

With the match seemingly destined to follow the same goalless pattern as their Prague meeting, the game produced a late twist. World Pinteur finally found the breakthrough when Anicet Onowa struck late in the contest, sending the French side into a 1-0 lead at a crucial moment and denying Stefan Gherasim a clean sheet for FC Mahou on his European debut. It was a decisive intervention in a match where goals had been at a premium. The final whistle confirmed a 1-0 victory for World Pinteur in a contest that once again offered very little between the teams. For FC Mahou, the late goal was a cruel end to a disciplined performance, but they will have time to regroup as the group campaign continues.

FC Poloboc have already competed this year at the Lisbon Tournament but it was not plain sailing. They began with a surprise 4-1 defeat to PFC (Bra) but responded in style with a 5-0 win over FC Tpaktop (CIS) and a 5-0 win over Beijing Rockets (Chn). They met fellow Moldovans Tricolor in their final group game and lost 4-2. They finished level in joint 2 nd with Tricolor and it would come down to goal difference on who would go into the Cup and who would go into the Plate. FC Poloboc won this tiebreaker +5 compared to +3. In the Cup Semi-Finals they battled to a 1-1 draw with FC Moldova Montreal (Can) before progressing 3-2 on penalties. In the Cup Final it was another hard fought contest as they drew 2-2 with PFC (Bra) requiring another penalty shoot-out. This proved to be an epic contest but FC Poloboc won out 6-5 as they lifted a 4 th eurofootballfives.com title!

Having arrived in Lloret de Mar, FC Poloboc now turned their attention to JK Silvertown B, with the Moldovan side looking to carry their recent success into another eurofootballfives campaign. Their opponents, meanwhile, faced a stern opening test against a team that had demonstrated its ability on numerous occasions in recent years. FC Poloboc made the first breakthrough when Leonid Cigureanu found the net to put his side 1-0 ahead. The early goal gave the Moldovans a platform from which to build, but JK Silvertown B responded and worked their way back into the contest. Joey May scored the equaliser, bringing the English side level at 1-1 and ensuring that FC Poloboc would have to fight for their advantage. With the score back on terms, the match was finely balanced and the next goal would prove particularly important.

It was Cigureanu who delivered again for FC Poloboc, scoring his second goal of the match to restore the Moldovans' lead at 2-1. Cigureanu had been instrumental in his team's Lisbon success with 7 goals on that day and his brace proved decisive in a closely contested encounter here in Spain. FC Poloboc held on to their advantage to see out the remainder of the game. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for FC Poloboc, the perfect start for them. For JK Silvertown B, they could take encouragement from their response after falling behind, even if May's equaliser ultimately was not enough to earn a point. They also pushed a well decorated team all the way.

Game 4 saw World Pinteur take on FC Poloboc, it was France versus Moldova. Both teams had enjoyed success in their opening games against FC Mahou and JK Silvertown B respectively. This was a chance for whoever won this game to put themselves in a commanding position at the top of the Group B table. These two teams had met before. At the 2023 Mallorca Veterans, they met in the Cup Quarter-Finals and drew 1-1 (FC Poloboc winning on penalties). They also met in the group phase at the 2024 Prague Veterans. On that occasion, FC Poloboc went 2-0 up before World Pinteur fought back to equalise at 2-2. The draw ended FC Poloboc's sequence of 12 consecutive wins in eurofootballfives.com competition but didn't stop FC Poloboc going on to win the Prague title.

With both sides looking to take control of Group B, this was always likely to be a closely contested encounter, and the match developed into a defensive battle in which neither team could find the breakthrough. World Pinteur and FC Poloboc both showed plenty of discipline and organisation at the back, limiting the opportunities available and refusing to give their opponents an easy route to goal. As the minutes passed, the quality of the defending became increasingly apparent, with both teams remaining focused and determined not to give anything away. Despite the attacking talent on display, neither side could find the decisive moment, and the contest finished goalless.

The clean sheets were a deserved reward for two impressive defensive performances. Benoit Botteau was particularly worthy of praise, recording his second clean sheet for World Pinteur after also shutting out FC Mahou in their opening 1-0 victory. At the other end, Iulian Stratulat matched him with a shutout of his own, ensuring FC Poloboc left the game with a valuable point. While neither team could claim the outright victory they might have wanted, both defences had delivered under pressure. The 0-0 draw leaves World Pinteur and FC Poloboc tied at the top of Group B on four points apiece, setting up an intriguing battle for the remaining group fixtures.

Game 5 of Group B was a renewed rivalry between two teams who had claimed 8 eurofootballfives.com titles between them over the years. It was FC Poloboc (Mda) versus FC Mahou (Eng). FC Poloboc were unbeaten today and currently sat a point ahead of FC Mahou in the group table. These teams were no strangers to each other having played in the 2024 Prague Veterans Cup Final which the Moldovans won 3-0. Then, at the 2025 Porto Veterans they met in the Cup Semi-Finals with FC Poloboc winning 1-0.

FC Mahou made an excellent start to this latest chapter in the rivalry, with Gamada Yousuf continuing his impressive impact on the tournament by putting the English side 1-0 ahead. The goal was particularly significant as it was the first time FC Poloboc had conceded to FC Mahou. FC Poloboc responded well, however, and Victor Gingota found the equaliser to make it 1-1, ensuring the contest remained finely balanced. With both teams fighting for a crucial result in the Group B standings, the match was once again proving a tight affair between two familiar opponents.

The decisive moment arrived when Mike Brandon found the net for FC Mahou, restoring the English side's lead at 2-1. Brandon's goal proved to be the winner, as Mahou held on to claim an important victory and inflict FC Poloboc's first defeat of the day. It was a significant result given the history between the teams, with the Moldovans having won both their previous knockout meetings in Prague and Porto. It may well prove to be a psychological swing in the balance of power between the two sides. The three points lifted FC Mahou above FC Poloboc in the group table and put them in a potentially top position, depending on the result over on Pitch D. With the group battle tightening, FC Mahou had given their campaign a timely boost.

World Pinteur (Fra) have been touring with us since 2016 and have switched between the Open Age and Veterans events. Lloret de Mar will be their fourth appearance at Veterans level having also appeared at the 2019 Budapest Veterans, 2023 Mallorca Veterans and 2024 Prague Veterans. They had qualified for the Cup on each occasion with a Quarter-Final and two Semi-Final appearances. They had started well again today with a 1-0 win and 0-0 draw against two teams who had won 8x eurofootballfives.com titles combined. This was a chance to maintain the pace at the top against JK Silvertown B.

Against those same opponents JK Silvertown B had lost 2-1 and 3-1. There was certainly no shame in that in what was a very high quality group. A win for JK Silvertown would put them just a point behind the teams in second and third place at the half-way stage of Group B. A defeat in this match though would leave JK Silvertown B 4 points adrift of 3 rd place and 6 points behind 2nd place – they needed a result here.

World Pinteur's biggest strength today had been their defence and it was proving impenetrable again. Goalkeeper Benoit Botteau and his defence had been close to perfect today with two clean sheets and they were still showing that resoluteness here. They were repelling everything that the JK Silvertown B could throw at them. In the end it was to be a third clean sheet in three games at the start of the tournament. If you can keep clean sheets then you always have a chance. They beat FC Mahou with a solitary Anicet Onowa strike. This time it was an Adrien Maurel goal that proved to be the difference. The final score of 1-0 saw World Pinteur move to 7 points and to the top of the Group B table.

For JK Silvertown B it was close but no cigar again. They were playing well and competing well but ultimately their opponents just had that extra touch of clinicality.

For the 2026 Lloret De Mar Sevens report click here.

For the 2026 Lloret De Mar Super Veterans report click here.