On a glorious summer's day the 2012 Budapest Fives kicked off with 5 different nations bidding for victory. We had a sensational debut in Budapest in 2011 and this year's event was looking every bit as tasty in one of the most aesthetic venues on our circuit.

First up in Group A was Aston Carter versus Budapest Celtic Tigers. The former were making their second eurofootballfives.com appearance following their debut at the 2011 Algarve Open where they drew the group of death that featured 2-times winners Athletico Do Hollande. They finished 5th and even the team in 4th had previously made a eurofootballfives.com final (Pimp My Side FC were runners-up in the 2010 Krakow Trophy Final). They did pick-up a fine victory though against a strong Aguas Do Algarve team, 1-0.

Their opponents Budapest Celtic Tigers finished Runners-Up in the 2011 Cup Final to Olympic Phil Babb (our most successful team ever with 4 wins) and recently travelled to the 2012 Barcelona Fives where they won their group before a surprise Quarter-Final exit. Could they return to their Cup Final form on home soil?

The first half was quite tight with just one goal separating the two sides and it was Budapest Celtic Tiger's Michael Globits who scored the first goal in Group A. In the second half the local side eased away from their opponents as Globits doubled the lead for 2-0 and wrapped up all 3 points. They were on their way, perhaps, to a 3rd group win and now had a group phase record of 7 wins, 2 draws and yet to lose. Aston Carter must be fearing they had another Group of Death!

The final fixture in the opening round of Group A was a non-starter as local side Ujpest RK were yet to arrive at the ground. There was no option but to hand a 3-0 walkover win to ABC United – the easiest 3 points they'll ever get.