Group A kicked off proceedings in the 2008 Barca Fives and set the tournament off at a fantastic pace. Within seconds we had goals on both pitches A and B as DHL Prague Blue and the CSF got off to the perfect start.

DHL Prague Blue were playing eurofootballfives.com newcomers Hanson Vets and the early strike from Eric Walker was a blow to the English side. They recovered well from the early setback though and competed well against the Czech team. With a goal each from either side (Rob Millan for DHL Prague Blue and Julian Bolton for Hanson Vets) the rest of the game was fairly even and the first minute goal therefore proved crucial as DHL Prague Blue won 2-1.

The opening goal for CSF was scored by Sean Jones who went on to score a first-half hat-trick in their opening encounter against Barcelona Adventure. On their last eurofootballfives.com appearance the CSF won the 2008 Krakow Trophy Plate and they looked hungry for more success in this match. They were continuing their good form and with further goals from Alex Thomas (2) and a ‘rare headed goal' by James Nott, the CSF completed a comfortable 6-2 victory.

The final team in Group A to get their campaign underway was the Yorvik Blades. 12 months ago at the 2007 Prague Trophy they had struggled but this time round were determined to improve their showing. Without a win in Prague, the Yorvik Blades redressed this in their very first game in Barcelona with a 1-0 win against DHL Prague Blue. The Czechs unable to build upon their opening game victory.

Next up for the Yorvik Blades was Spanish side, Barcelona Adventure. The Spanish team were looking to bounce back after a 6-2 defeat against the CSF. This was certainly an improved performance and they had looked to solve their defensive issues by repelling the Yorvik Blades forwards to keep a clean sheet. At the other end though they couldn't find the back of the net as Tom Edwards kept a second consecutive clean sheet. The 0-0 draw was enough to put the English team top with 4 points from a possible 6 and Barcelona Adventure had broken their points duck.

Hanson Vets were looking to put their opening game defeat behind them against the CSF. The CSF on the other hand were aiming to build on an impressive 6-2 win with the knowledge that another victory would put them in charge of Group A. It was not to be though as they came up against a spirited Hanson Vets team. Hanson Vets, from Birmingham , lost by just the odd goal first time out but this time claimed all three points winning by the odd goal. A brace from Russell Bow and a second goal of the tournament from Julian Bolton saw off their opponents. Alex Thomas and James Nott were both on the scoresheet again for the CSF but goals in a losing cause this time around. This result proved that each of the teams in Group A were capable of beating any other and the group would be a battle to the end.

Next up for the CSF was DHL Prague Blue. Both teams boasted records of won one, lost one (in that order). Which team would respond to defeat best? The answer on the pitch was a resounding one as the Czech side powered to a 4-0 victory thanks to goals from Rob Millan (2), Scott Clifford and Jan Juricek. It is worth noting here the strike from Scott Clifford . A free kick was awarded on the edge of the CSF box so player-manager Scott Clifford brought himself on to take the free kick. One thunderous strike later and he was back on the bench. Surely one of the finest cameos ever – one second of playing time, one goal!

Hanson Vets were back on track after their 3-2 win against the CSF. Next in their way was Barcelona Adventure who had steadied the ship with a 0-0 draw against Yorvik Blades following their 6-2 opening game loss. That ship was soon to be rocking again though as defensive frailties came to the fore again. Russell Bow of the Hanson Vets was the chief architect of their downfall with a hat-trick. Tom Murphy scored his first in eurofootballfives.com competition as the game finished 4-0.

DHL Prague Blue were currently sitting joint top with Hanson Vets on six points when they met bottom side Barcelona Adventure. A win would guarantee their place in the Cup knock-out phase. This was not to be though as Barcelona Adventure provided the shock of the group by overturning their illustrious Czech opponents 1-0 thanks to a goal from Roger. The Spanish team were proving to be a Jekyll & Hyde side with poor display followed by good results. DHL Prague Blue would now have to sit and wait for other results not only in Group A but also in Groups B and C to see if they had done enough to qualify for the Cup.

With the shock DHL Prague Blue result, Hanson Vets were assured of Cup qualification with just a point against the Yorvik Blades and a win would give them the Group A title. They received the point they needed and nothing more with a 0-0 draw. Tom Edwards in the Yorvik Blades goal keeping yet another clean sheet as they continued their steady progress. They moved into 3rd on 5 points with one game still to play.

That game, the last of the group, was against the CSF. A win for the Yorvik Blades and they would leapfrog DHL Prague Blue and Hanson Vets to win the group, a draw would see them finish 3rd and sweating on results in other groups. A defeat would mean 4th place and the Plate. The equation for the CSF was much simpler – win. While the equation was simple, achieving that goal proved much harder. The CSF forwards were the 4th successive team unable to breakthrough the Yorvik Blades defence which was exemplary yet again. While the Yorvik Blades were keeping clean sheets at the back, finding the net themselves was proving more tricky. Just one goal in the first three games was testament to this. They found their shooting boots in this match though to complete a 3-0 win and claim the Group A prize.

Yorvik Blades would be joined in the Cup by Hanson Vets and DHL Prague Blue (as the second best 3rd placed team). The CSF and Barcelona Adventure qualified for the Plate.