So, all eyes were on Pitch A as we came down to the biggest match of the day in the Open Age section – The 2016 Lisbon Tournament Cup Final.

The two teams set to do battle for the honour and glory of victory were World Pinteur (France) versus Parques Tejo (Portugal). History was on the side of Parques Tejo as we had seen Portuguese success here in Lisbon in both 2013 and 2015.

For World Pinteur, it was the 8th time a French team had reached a @eurofootball5's Cup Final. The previous results were:

Wins

2009 Barca Fives: Luminy Wolves bt Goldsmith Williams 3-2 on pens after 0-0 draw.

2013 Mallorca Fives: Grant Thornton bt Skidmarks 2-0

2nd Place.

2012 Algarve Open: CFC A lost 6-1 to ManDem United

2013 Algarve Open: CFC lost 1-0 to FC Radbroke

2013 Berlin Fives: Luminy Wolves lost 5-1 to ABC United

2013 Krakow Trophy: The A Team lost 2-1 to Budapest Celtic

2015 Bratislava Fives: The A Team lost 1-0 to GSF Drunkerz

The two teams had already played this morning and on that occasion World Pinteur had won 2-0 and a repeat would see them crowned as our third French champions.

The Cup Final began and the game was a very close match in the early stages and it took a wonder goal from Richard Leibovici to make the breakthrough. The goal was sensational – he danced laterally across the pitch on the edge of the penalty area beating three men before turning and firing a shot inside the post. It was a great individual goal and worthy of any Cup Final. He had not scored this morning but had now contributed two vital goals when it mattered in the Semi-Final and the Final.

The next chance of the game fell to Djassy Gomes who fired in a shot for Parques Tejo but Benoit Botteau was equal to it to parry the ball away and keep his team 1-0 up. The Portuguese had responded well and were enjoying a good spell as they searched for an equalizer with Elton also going close. Parques Tejo then had a free-kick in a good position but the ball was hit into the wall. World Pinteur lead 1-0 at half-time.

The pattern of the second half was that World Pinteur sat back to hold on to their lead and look to counter. Parques Tejo held most of the possession as they looked to find a way through the French defence which had not conceded all day. The World Pinteur defence was holding up though restricting the Portuguese team to shots from distance and never seriously looked in trouble.

Then, a big moment in the game. Parques Tejo came as close as they had come all match when forcing Botteau into a fine save. World Pinteur went up the other end and made it 2-0. Dmitri Payet was enjoying a wonderful tournament at Euro2016 and here Kevin Payet ran clear of the Portuguese defence to slot home and score the goal that could see World Pinteur seal victory at the 2016 Lisbon Tournament.

The game was not 2-0 for long though as Djassy Gomes fired home for Parques Tejo and the game was back on again. Amazingly, it was the first goal World Pinteur had conceded all tournament. Moments later Djassy Gomes made it 2-2 – two goals in about a minute changed the whole momentum of this final. It was also a significant personal goal for Djassy Gomes as it would earn him the Top Goalscorer award with a return of 7 goals.

As the game drew on the advantage was with Parques Tejo but they were unable to find a third and winning goal as we finished with a draw.

A penalty shoot-out would decide the 2016 Lisbon Tournament. It was World Pinteur to strike first and Pierre Lachaud would be the man to step forward. He powered his penalty down the middle only for Pedro Cascalho to make the save. It was advantage Parques Tejo. Edson stepped forward for the Portuguese to curl his penalty into the left corner for 1-0.

Romain Ziat was up next for World Pinteur. He had two goals in the tournament and took a pretty good penalty but Pedro Cascalho made a stunning save to dive and tip the ball over the bar. The odds were now heavily on Parques Tejo for glory.

Elton was the man who could win it. He powered his penalty and whilst Benoit Botteau got his hand to the ball he could not prevent the goal and Parques Tejo had won the tournament. The team ran off into a huddle in jubilant celebration as World Pinteur were left to reflect on what might have been.

We offer our consolations to World Pinteur who were absolutely superb on the day and a top quality side. They could not have come much closer to glory and we are sure there is a future tournament success waiting for them. If they do, we know they have a great celebration waiting which they displayed in the presentation when collecting their Runners-up medals.

Our congratulations go to Parques Tejo – worthy 2016 Lisbon Tournament champions!

Thank you to all the teams who competed. We hope to see you all again at a tournament very soon.