After 59 games of football we came down to the most important of them all. Game 60 – The 2015 JNJ Euro Soccer Tournament Cup Final. The two teams set to do battle for the honour and glory of victory were Cilag Team 1 (Switzerland) versus JNJ Russia (Russia).

JNJ Russia were only the second team in the history of the JNJ Euro Soccer Tournament to reach multiple Cup Finals (after JNJ High Wycombe with 3 Cup Finals). They were our champions in 2013 when they won the title with a record score in a Cup Final, winning 5-0. They had worked hard to get to the Cup Final this year with 3 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat so far – crucially, that defeat was against their opponents in this final.

For many Cilag Team 1 were the champions elect – they had won 6 of their 7 games drawing the other before a win on penalties. They had scored 29 goals and conceded just 3. They had already defeated JNJ Russia 2-0 in the group stages and would fancy their chances of another win – take nothing for granted though as anything can happen in a Cup Final. As always, the first goal was likely to be pivotal.

The first goal can be pivotal in two ways – when it is scored and obviously who by. Early goals can change momentum and dictate the pattern of play for the remainder of the game and no-one wants to chase the game against quality opponents. With the game underway we did not have to wait long for the first goal – it went to Cilag Team 1 and to Melis Ajvazi with his seventh of the tournament. The Swiss team were buoyant and Damir Ajvazi quickly made it 2-0 and from there they never looked back. For JNJ Russia, if the first goal was a confidence sapping setback the second was a killer blow.

Although still early there was no stopping Cilag Team 1 as Melis Ajvazi added a third before Samil Zujli made it 4-0 and Sopi Walmir made it 5-0. It was only half-time but this Cup Final was over. Cilag Team 1 were running riot. In the second half Samidin Ljatifi made it 6-0 before Dalibor Bukovac completed the rout, 7-0.

We don't think anyone could be in any doubt that the best team on the day won. Cilag Team were the top-scoring team in the tournament with 36 goals and they had the best defence with just 3 conceded and 5 clean sheets in 8 games. They had 3 different goalscorers in the top 10 for the tournament and were fully deserving of their victory. Many, many congratulations to Cilag Team 1 – 2015 JNJ Euro Soccer Tournament Champions!

We offer our consolations to JNJ Russia who had another strong day in the tournament but it was one game too far for them today. We very much hope they will come back to join us in the future to have another crack at winning their second JNJ Euro Soccer Tournament.

Our congratulations for the personal honours go to Liam Robinson of De Puy Synthes 1 with 14.

Thank you to all the teams who competed and we look forward to seeing you in 2016….wherever that may be!