As the 2017 Lisbon Tournament Cup Quarter-Finals were about to get underway we were down to the elite 8 teams in the tournament. We had four nationalities in with a chance of glory – Brazil (1), England (4), The Netherlands (1) and Portugal (3) were all gunning for tournament success.

We started on Pitch A with Barrymoore's Swimming Club versus Cruz Del Sur A. Barrymoore's Swimming Club had enjoyed a terrific morning and were the top ranked side from the group phase with the most points (19) secured as they won Group A. They were the second top scorers, 1 of just 2 unbeaten teams, had the joint best goal difference, had the most clean sheets and the best defence in the tournament. So good was their defence that they were yet to concede in today's tournament.

This looked a formidable task for Cruz Del Sur A on paper but they had done pretty well themselves. Their form had been a little bit up and down though – they started with 2 wins, suffered 2 surprising defeats, beat the Group B winners convincingly, picked up a draw in a game you expected them to win and then lost the final game to the group runners-up.

It was Cruz Del Sur A who struck first and they struck early as Danny Armando McGee claimed a very important goal. They now had something to hold on to. Barrymoore's Swimming Club came forward and through everything at Cruz Del Sur A. Barrymoore's Swimming Club had scored at an average of more than 2 per game but were thwarted by the Cruz Del Sur A defence. It was a big performance from David Coleman who kept his fourth clean sheet of the day for his team and no doubt the most important yet. What a win for Cruz Del Sur A, 1-0.

It seemed unfair to say goodbye to Barrymoore's Swimming Club after 7 games without conceding, the first goal they conceded meant they were out. It was a particularly cruel and harsh exit but that is football I guess.

Up next on Pitch B was Wonderleague versus ADP Netherlands which promised to be an intriguing game. It was second place in Group B versus third place in Group A. Wonderleague, representing Portugal, had the better of the records from the group phase with 5 wins but 2 defeats showed that they were not unbeatable. ADP Netherlands were a team in form. Having lost their first two games they were now unbeaten in five games with 4 wins and 1 draw.

Wonderleague were the highest scorers out of the two teams with 15 goals scored compared to 7 for the Dutch. Defences were pretty similar with Wonderleague conceding 6 compared to ADP Netherlands conceding 8 – although it should be recognized that 6 of those goals for the Dutch came in their first two games before they found their form.

We had expected a close game here but it turned out to be a little one-sided. Most of the damage was done in the first half as the home team blew their travelling opponents away. Wonderleague were aided by a goal that was credited as an own goal before Cadin Malundulo, Bruno Miguel Fernandes Pinto and Miguel Alexandre de Silva Nunes all found the net. In the second half things calmed down but Wonderleague extended the score to 5-0 with a Jacinto goal.

It was farewell to ADP Netherlands who had qualified for the Cup at three out of four of their eurofootballfives.com appearances. It was a Cup Quarter-Final exit each time (2013 Barcelona Fives, 2014 Amsterdam Fives and today). Hopefully they can go one step further (at least) next time.

Quarter-Final three saw Indoorsoccer take on Jackson's 5. This would be a really tough one to call as there were just 2 points between the teams in the group phase.

Indoorsoccer were one of just two teams in the tournament who finished unbeaten. They recorded 5 wins and 2 draws from their 7 group games. They scored 11 goals but there success was largely based on a strong defence with just 3 conceded. In one previous Cup Quarter-Final appearance in our tournaments they were successful with a 3-0 win over English opposition (BUILDers) at our 2015 event.

Jackson's 5 had secured 15 points with 5 wins and 2 defeats in the group. They had outscored their opponents with 14 goals but also conceded more (7). Jackson's 5's had won their final three group games and seemed to be on a roll – could it take them all the way? Can you feel it, can you feel it, can you feel it!

This was arguably the closest of all the games played in the Cup Quarter-Finals. There was very little to choose between the two teams and as a result the first half ended all square, 0-0. The second half would see a winner and it went to Indoorsoccer. Antonio Mendes was the man with the crucial and decisive strike to send the Portuguese through.

We had to say farewell to Jackson's 5 and we would like to thank them for making the journey to the Lisbon Tournament. All I can say is, “I Want You Back” at another eurofootballfives.com event soon. We apologise for the Jackson 5 puns that were tenuous and tedious (at best!).

The final Quarter-Final was Pangare Futebol Clube versus Leave It FC. Pangare Futebol Clube had the second best record of all the teams in the group phase. They won Group B with just the one blip preventing a 100% record. They were the top scorers from the group phase and held the joint best goal difference of all teams with +16. They scored 21 goals and conceded just 5. It would be a brave man to bet against Pangare Futebol Clube in this one.

Pangare Futebol Clube had beaten Leave It FC's sister squad (Lun-don FC) in the group phase 1-0. Based on the group phase records though, Leave It FC would prove a sterner test. Leave It FC had qualified for the Cup for the first time with 3 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats to their name. They had a positive goal difference of +2 with 10 scored and 8 conceded.

Leave It FC put in a good performance against their illustrious opponents but were unable to land a punch on the Brazilian team. It was Pangare Futebol Clube who would ultimately go through as Blendow Esteves and Denilson Jesus goals would send them through. It was a goal in each half as Pangare Futebol Clube ran out 2-0 victors.

It was farewell to Leave It FC who joined Lun-don FC on the sidelines for the rest of the tournament. We'd like to thank them for attending the Lisbon Tournament and congratulate them on a competitive tournament with progress certainly made since the 2016 Barcelona Fives.