We were at the 2018 Barcelona Fives Cup Semi-Final stage and from the 23 teams who started the day we were down to the final 4 – already an achievement for those who were still in the hunt for glory. The first Cup Semi-Final would see Club Esportiu Llefia versus LT United.

Club Esportiu Llefia had never lost a knock-out game in our tournaments. In 2015 and 2016 they won their Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals en route to winning the Cup and the Plate respectively. In 2017 they didn't qualify for the knockout phase and they had the Quarter-Final win today under their belts. Could they make it 8 out of 8 knock-out games?

LT United had played in 4 previous knock-out games with 3 wins and 1 draw (won on penalties). They were on a run of 11 games unbeaten in our tournaments going back to Group B at last year's tournament.

It was the Lithuanian team who got off to a flyer – they scored two very early goals to put them in charge of this tie. Karolis and Dalius Kisla both scored and the LT United kept that lead until half-time. In the second half, Edgaras Buzas made it 3-0.

We had to say farewell to Club Esportiu Llefia. They had only conceded 1 goal before this game and they were unable to qualify from those two early strikes.

LT United had a final to prepare for……

So, who would take their place in the Final from the second Semi-Final? The two teams set to do battle were Argon'ze against AC Mazi 1996.

Argon'ze had done superbly to reach this far. They emerged from Group A which featured the 2015 Barcelona Fives champions and had knocked out Ireland's Red Light Runners (2008 Krakow Trophy winners, 2008 Barca Fives runners-up) in the last round. This would be their biggest challenge yet!

In statistical terms it was hard to look beyond AC Mazi 1996 for victory. Six wins out of six, 29 goals scored and just 3 conceded. Argon'ze's record was good (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, 13 scored, 7 conceded) but it was dwarfed by AC Mazi's performances so far today.

If Argon'ze were to pull off a shock you felt they needed to score first in this game – hope to hang on and maybe scoreboard pressure might knock the Greeks from their stride. It didn't happen though. AC Mazi 1996 scored first and never looked back.

Thanasaj Laerto opened the scoring. Marios Ntatis and Ilias Vergos made it 3-0 before Laerto scored again. Marios Ntatis got his second of the game before Laerto completed his hat-trick – he was now on 16 for the tournament. Ektoras Panagiotopoulos made it 7-0 before Mario Ntatis completed his hat-trick for 8-0. It was a sensational score and you wouldn't bet against AC Mazi 1996 for the title.

We'd like to congratulate Argon'ze on their best performance at a eurofootballfives.com tournament to date. Cup Final next year?