There were just two more games standing between the four remaining teams and glory as we reached the Plate Semi-Finals. It was Spain versus England in the first Plate Semi-Final as Drunk Perfect took on ABCDE FC. At stake was a place in the 2015 Barcelona Fives Plate Final.

ABCDE FC had proven tough opposition all day with 2 wins and 2 draws and just the one blip with defeat in their opening game. A fifth unbeaten game would see them contesting a European final. Drunk Perfect had 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats to their name but on their side they did have the asset of experience in these tournaments. They had won their previous Semi-Final here in 2013 against the 2008 Cup Winners Rapid Bosco Navas 4-2.

This was a lower scoring affair and in fact goals were conspicuous by their absence in the opening period as we were still locked at 0-0 when the referee blew for half-time. There was to be a goal in the second half and it came from William Nelson for Drunk Perfect – it was his first of the day and what a time to score it. It was the goal that sent his team through to the Trophy Final.

It was only a second defeat of the day for ABCDE FC but, alas, we had to say farwell to them for the day.

Hardly Athletic and Depo Legends met in the second Semi-Final. Following Drunk Perfect's victory in the first Semi-Final we had a scenario where should Depo Legends win then we would have a repeat of the 2013 Barcelona Fives Trophy Final in the 2015 Barcelona Fives Plate Final. Hardly Athletic were clearly determined to prevent that from happening.

Deportivo Dooradoyle had a pretty impressive Semi-Final record. It read:

2011 Amsterdam Fives Plate: Deportivo Dooradoyle won 3-1 v CEPL (Hol)

2013 Barcelona Fives Trophy: Deportivo Dooradoyle won 1-0 v Team Also Ran (Ire)

2013 Barcelona Fives Plate: Depo Allstars won 2-0 v Shahs of Sunset (Eng)

2014 Berlin Fives Plate: Deportivo Dooradoyle won 4-1 v All of Ronan's Men (Ire)

As well as this fixture, their other team (known as Alabama Hotpockets this year) was in the Cup Semi-Final. Could they maintain their 100% record at this stage of a tournament?

Hardly Athletic were in unchartered territory but with just defeat in their five games they had impressed to date so it would be interesting to see how they fared as the games got tougher and the crowds got bigger on the touchlines. They seemed to be adjusting to the requirements pretty well as they triumphed to win this Semi-Final 1-0 thanks to an Alan Glynn strike.

Depo Legends Semi-Final record had gone and there would be no repeat of the 2013 Trophy Final. There could well be Hardly Athletic success in the offing though as they charged on.