So, who would meet Galacticos in the Semi-Final? It was Lostwithiel FC against Elysian FC. Lostwithiel FC reached the Plate Semi-Finals at the 2018 Amsterdam Sixes. They took a step up to the Cup competition here in Alicante after an excellent group performance.

They finished joint top of the table on 10 points with 14 goals scored and 3 conceded. They had the third best goal difference of all 18 teams in the tournament. They were up against Elysian FC who also qualified with 10 points from their group games. Their goal difference of 8-3 was not too far behind their opponents. With two second placed teams playing each other this was expected to be the closest Quarter-Final and so it proved.

Chris Chandler gave Lostwithiel FC a 1-0 lead but Maamoon Ali Khan's third strike of the tournament ensured the game would finish 1-1 and go to penalties.

Lostwithiel FC would take the first pen and scored it – Liam Rooney, in off the post for 1-0. The first penalty for Elysian FC was scored by Zed Patel for 1-1 as Alex Jacques went to his right but the ball was calmly placed to his left. Lostwithiel then restored their lead, 2-1, James Hutchings smashing the ball high down the middle. Elysian FC were level again at 2-2 after Abdulnassir Kamye went low to the ‘keepers left.

The third round of penalties was decisive. Lostwithiel FC went down the middle again with Dan Carr but Cem Temur kept his balance and stuck out a strong left hand to keep the ball out. It meant Elysian FC now had the chance to win it. It was not the most convincing penalty but Maamoon Ali Khan got it past Jacques outstretched left leg. It was almost as if Jacques was expecting more pace on the ball and his left leg went past the line of the ball. He was so close to keeping it out and probably felt he could have kept it out but it didn't matter to Elysian FC – they were through.

Quarter-Final three was Panadero Loco Sport versus ASAL Sports. This promised to be the closest Quarter-Final tie yet as it was the winners of Group C versus the 2 nd team in Group B.

Panadero Loco Sport had started the day on fire with three successive wins but two 0-0 draws at the end of the group had slowed their progress. They finished on 11 points in the group phase. ASAL Sports had just 1 point less than their opponents as they finished with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in Group B. The defeat to Atletico San Bas the only real difference between the two teams.

Without a goal in two games Panadero Loco Sport must have been relieved to get amongst the goals again. They had Kaddir Abderrahim to thank for ending their mini-drought. The goal was enough to give Panadero Loco Sport a 1-0 half-time lead.

ASAL Sports had it all to do now. They needed a second half comeback against a team who had only conceded one goal in the entire tournament. Their task became more difficult when Dojilali Driss made it 2-0 to Panadero. The game was slipping away from the US team as Kaddir Abderrahim made it 3-0. There was some consolation for ASAL Sports as Anton Kovesmikov scored his second of the tournament to reduce the lead to 3-1. It was only to be a consolation though as Panadero Loco Sport qualified for the next round.

The tournament was over for ASAL Sports. We'd like to thank them for making the commitment to travel over to Spain from the USA and become the first team to represent the US in our events. It was great to meet you all and we appreciate it.

The final Quarter-Final was Atletico San Bas versus Fylde Old Boys FC. Fylde Old Boys looked to have the most difficult task of all the teams in the Quarter-Finals.

Atletico San Bas were the #1 ranked team at the end of the group phase. The Spanish team possessed the only 100% record with 5 wins out of 5. They were the joint second top scorers with 14 goals scored. They had the best defence with zero goals conceded which naturally enough lead to the best goal difference of +14.

That was the size of the task facing Fylde Old Boys FC. Fylde Old Boys FC had only conceded the one goal themselves so would no doubt be confident of trying to keep their opponents at bay like they did against Spanish opposition Panadero Loco Sport at the end of Group C. Fylde Old Boys FC had 2 wins, 2 draws and just the 1 defeat to their name in the group phase.

The first goal in this game was always likely to be crucial. If Fylde Old Boys could grab it they could try to use their defensive record to knock-out their opponents. However, if they were to concede it they would have their work cut out penetrating their opponents hitherto impermeable back line.

That first goal went to Alberto Mateo Del Puenite and was the only goal in the first half. Still, all was not lost. If Fylde Old Boys FC could grab an equalizer they could take this game to penalties. As it was, Atletico San Bas increased their lead to 2-0 thanks to Angel Gomez Gutierrez. Having not conceded today, Atletico San Bas looked to have done enough. The win was secure when Javier Manzano Segarra made it 3-0.

The day was over for Fylde Old Boys FC but there was no shame in going out to such strong opposition.