Welcome to the 2018 Algarve Veterans Tournament Post-Tournament Report.

The eurofootballfives Veterans Tournament is a moveable feast and after the veritable delights of Mallorca 2017 we returned to the Algarve in 2018. Our Veterans event made its debut in Lisbon 2013 before moving on to Mallorca 2014, the Algarve 2015, back to Lisbon in 2016, Mallorca in 2017 and now Algarve again for the 6th edition of the June Veterans event. As a quick heads up to the future, the proposed venue for the June 2019 edition is Alicante so watch this space!

Previous winners:

2013: Sao Marcos (Por)

2014: Palmesanos (Spa)

2015: Mini FC (Por)

2016: Sago (Por)

2017: FC Mahou (Eng)

We had 14 teams signed up here in the Algarve trying to add their name to this list.

We'll preview the teams in more detail as we progress with this report but the first game up was WEEDS Colts (Eng) versus Bombeiros Faro (Por)… or at least it was supposed to be. Bombeiros Faro despite reconfirming were no shows on the day.

The first phase of the 2018 Algarve Veterans Tournament would be decided on a group basis. There were two groups with 7 teams in each group.

Each team would play each other team in their group once and therefore 6 group games. After which, depending on position, they would progress to the Cup or Plate competition.

The teams finishing 1st and 2nd in each group would progress to the Cup competition. This would be played as a knock-out phase with Semi-Finals and Final.

The teams finishing 3rd to 6th in each group would progress to the Plate competition. This would be played as a knock-out phase with Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final.

The teams finishing 7th in each group would be eliminated at this stage.

Two teams who would probably not need to worry about elimination were FC Miracle (Hun) and Mini FC (Por) as both were previous tournament winners. This would be a really tough start for each of these teams,

It was first blood to Mini FC as Braulio put his side 1-0 up. FC Miracle were back on terms though when Zoltan Toth pulled his team level. The game was won with the third goal of the game when Toze scored a massive winner.

The final fixture in the opening round of Group A was Los Lamblos versus Chorltonians AFC Vets. Los Amblos were familiar to our tournaments as they were making their third appearance in our Veterans event – we will preview them in more detail as we go along.

Chorltonians AFC Vets had already seen their Open Age team begin their campaign. The “younger pups” had secured a draw in their opening encounter. Could their “respected elders” match or even improve upon the open age teams start?

The two defences were on top in this one with Julian Wilton (Los Amblos), Robert Morrison (Chorltonians Vets) and their respective defenders claiming clean sheets.

It was a solid opening point each – only time would tell if it was a point gained or two points dropped.