Results
 

Stiftung Wadentest (Ger)

2

V

2

Krakow Lions-Big Time (Pol)

Los Malakas Hermanos (Pol)

1

V

1

DZ Fennecs (Pol)

Dee Rangers (Eng)

4

V

0

FC Dad (Eng)

 

A look at the league table at the end of Round 4 showed that we now knew our four semi-finalists but we had no idea how the draw would pan out with all four teams at the top separated by just two points. Stiftung Wadentest and Krakow Lions-Big Time were in action on Pitch A. The German team had a share of the lead in the group on 9 points and were well placed to try and secure top spot. This would help them secure a theoretically easier semi-final against the fourth placed team. They were up against Krakow Lions-Big Time who already knew this would be their last match in the tournament.

Showing how competitive this group was, the two teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with both sides showing plenty of attacking intent. Krakow Lions-Big Time made the better start and took an early lead through Martin Nijboer, who was celebrating his second goal of the day and giving his side an important early advantage. Stiftung Wadentest responded well to falling behind and soon restored parity through Hannes Kraub. The equaliser gave the German side renewed momentum, but Krakow Lions-Big Time regained the lead before half-time when Kevin Ezequel found the net to make it 2-1. Stiftung were unable to find another response before the interval, leaving them with work to do in the second half.

The German side came out strongly after the restart and continued to search for another way back into the contest. Their persistence was eventually rewarded when Ingmar Laning scored to bring the teams level at 2-2. With the scores now tied, both sides looked for the decisive third goal, but neither could make the breakthrough. The points were ultimately shared after an entertaining contest that finished 2-2. Nijboer's second goal of the day and Ezequel's strike had twice put Krakow Lions-Big Time ahead, but Stiftung Wadentest showed good resilience to come from behind on both occasions. Laning's equaliser ensured the German side took a valuable point from a competitive encounter.

 
 
 

Los Malakas Hermanos and DZ Fennecs played out a 1-1 draw in Match 14, with plenty at stake for both sides. DZ Fennecs started the game top of the group, while Los Malakas Hermanos were fourth, although the Polish side still had a chance of winning the group if they won this and other results went their way. That added extra significance to an already important encounter.

Los Malakas Hermanos made the early breakthrough through Juan Guerrero, who scored his second goal of the day to put his side 1-0 ahead. DZ Fennecs responded with their own prolific goalscorer, as Rafik Chabane levelled the scores with his fourth goal of the day. The two sides could not be separated before the interval, with the score remaining 1-1 at half-time. The second half saw both teams continue to battle for the decisive goal, but neither could find a way through. DZ Fennecs knew a point would keep them firmly in contention at the top, while Los Malakas Hermanos needed a win to change their position. Whatever happened both teams would be heading into the knockout phase.

The 1-1 draw proved enough for DZ Fennecs to remain level on points with Stiftung Wadentest at the top of the group, with the Polish champions taking first place on goal difference after the Germans also drew. For Los Malakas Hermanos, the point meant they remained in fourth place and secured their place in the semi-finals.

 
 
 

Dee Rangers went into the final game of the group phase sitting third in the Krakow Trophy table, while FC Dad started the game in sixth and already knew they faced a difficult challenge and would be playing their final game of the day. FC Dad were also dealing with a growing injury list and a small squad that was beginning to feel the effects of a busy group phase. Despite those difficulties, they continued to give everything on the pitch and produced a committed performance against one of the teams competing at the top end of the table.

The first half remained goalless, with FC Dad working tirelessly to stay in the contest and Dee Rangers unable to find the breakthrough. Rangers had plenty to play for with the top of the table so closely contested, but FC Dad's determination and resilience ensured the scores remained level at 0-0 going into the interval. The second half proved decisive, as Dee Rangers finally found a way through and then took control of the contest. Craig Graves opened the scoring with his second goal of the tournament, before Jason Lucas doubled the advantage also with his second of the campaign. Drew Fowlie then added a third, his third goal of the tournament, and Dan Tew completed the scoring, opening his personal account, to make it 4-0.

The victory was hugely significant for Dee Rangers, lifting them into a share of top spot with three teams now level on 10 points. Dee Rangers would finish second on goal difference. For FC Dad, the result brings their group campaign to an end, but they deserve plenty of credit for their effort throughout the tournament. They may bow out at this stage, but FC Dad can leave Krakow with their heads held high after giving everything they had.

 
 
Table
 
Team
Pld
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Agst
Pts

DZ Fennecs (Pol)

5

3

1

1

13

5

10

Dee Rangers (Eng)

5

3

1

1

9

3

10

Stiftung Wadentest (Ger)

5

3

1

1

12

7

10

Los Malakas Hermanos (Pol)

5

2

2

1

5

6

8

Krakow Lions-Big Time (Pol)

5

0

2

3

5

10

2

FC Dad (Eng)

5

0

1

4

3

16

1

 
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