Results
 

Norfolk N Chance (Eng)

2

V

0

Barrymoore's Swim Club (Eng)

Club Esportiu Llefia (Spa)

1

v

1*

Sharks (Spa)

* Sharks (Spa) won 3-1 on penalties.
 

We were at the 2023 Barcelona Fives Cup Semi-Final stage and from the 14 teams who signed up 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 Norfolk N Chance versus Barrymoore's Swimming Club.

Barrymoore's Swimming Club were appearing in their third tournament and had reached the Cup for the third time. They had excelled in the group phase of the 2016 Barcelona Fives and the 2017 Lisbon Tournament. However, they were yet to win in the knockout phase. Previously in Barcelona they went out to Madrid's Me Toca Tirar (2-1) and in Lisbon to Cruz Del Sur A (1-0). Would it be third time lucky this year in Barcelona?

It was a daunting prospect for Barrymoore's Swimming Club as they were up against the Group A winners. Not only that, Norfolk N Chance were looking to create history by becoming the first team to successfully defend the Barcelona Fives. They had ability and determination.

It was the defending champions who got off to the ideal start. Josh Sullivan's second goal of the tournament had been hugely important in a 1-1 draw with Sharks. His third was arguably more important as it put them 1-0 up in the Semi-Finals. Ash Baker was also on target for the third time and his goal put Norfolk N Chance 2-0 up.

There was no way back for Barrymoore's Swimming Club and they were out for this season.

 
 
 

So, who would take their place in the Final from the second Semi-Final? The two teams set to do battle were Club Esportiu Llefia (Spa) and Sharks (Spa).

This match was a repeat of the 2021 Barcelona Fives Cup Final which finished 3-2 to Club Esportiu Llefia. Earlier in that 2021 tournament, Sharks had won 2-1 in the group phase when these teams met. It was one win each which made this match particularly tough to call.

If you were going to pick a winner you may well plump for Club Esportiu Llefia as their form today had been exemplary. They had won 6 games out 6 and were yet to concede in the tournament. This was their third Cup Semi-Final and they'd won 2 out of the 3 so far losing in 2018 but winning in 2015 and 2021 as they went on to claim the title on both occasions. They were bidding to become the first team to win 3x Barcelona Fives titles.

Sharks were bidding to reach their second Cup Final in their quest for a maiden title and they began well with a goal from Savvas Eftychidis. The goal was impressive as he became the first man to score against Club Esportiu Llefia today. It was not enough to win the game though as Edgar Moreno Comas equalized with his first goal of the tournament – what a time to get it! The match finished 1-1 and he earned his side a penalty shoot-out.

Club Esportiu Llefia had been involved in two penalty shoot-outs in our tournaments and lost them both. 6-5 to Polonia Limerick (Pol) in last year's Plate Final and 3-2 to Sintetremini (Gre) in the 2019 Cup Quarter-Finals.

It was a first shoot-out for Sharks who were perfect with Tom Frumerman, Markuss Fransson and Roel Renken all on target. Club Esportiu Llefia missed their first but scored through Ivan Moreno Gomez – alas, it was too little too late. It was a tough exit for Club Esportiu Llefia who had looked good for a third title but they were out.

Sharks marched on!

 
 
 
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