It was Cup Final time in Lisbon. The final and most important match of the day that would determine the 2022 Lisbon Veterans Tournament champions. Who would add their name to this last of past winners:

2013: Sao Marcos (Por)

2014: Palmesanos (Spa)

2015: Mini FC (Por)

2016: Sago (Por)

2017: FC Mahou (Eng)

2018: Mini FC (Por)

2019: Esparta (Spa)

We had two English teams in the final and were guaranteed a first English win since 2017. This is how we lined-up:

FC Dad (Eng)

Best appearance to date: 2016 Riga Tournament Cup SF

Record today: Played 6, Won 3, Drawn 3, Lost 0.

Goal difference today: 10-4

Current unbeaten run: 6 games.

Today's top goalscorer: Calum Jones (4)

Clean sheets: 3

FC Mahou (Eng)

Best appearance to date: 2011 Prague Masters, 2013 Algarve Open, 2017 Mallorca Veterans

Record today: Played 5, Won 4, Drawn 1, Lost 0.

Goal difference today: 10-1

Current unbeaten run: 5 games.

Today's top goalscorer: Michael Brandon (6)

Clean sheets: 4

These two teams had met before albeit 8 years ago when they both competed at the 2014 Budapest Fives. It was in the group phase and FC Mahou (playing as FC Radbroke) won 6-1.

The game kicked off and it was a much closer affair this time but still FC Mahou held the advantage. Steve Sachro the man to get his team off and running with a cool finish slotted home past the ‘keeper. Michael Brandon added to his tally to make it seven for the tournament and 2-0 in the Cup Final. They looked to be on their way to another title.

The second half kicked off with FC Mahou in the box seat but they were soon pegged back as Graham Dodds pulled one back for FC Dad. Momentum was with FC Dad and they completed their comeback when Stuart Leslie scored a stunning equalizer. He rode a couple of challenges before firing home with the angle against him. The crowd were witnessing something special. From here it looked like FC Dad could well go on and win this one – they were pushing for the winner and FC Mahou, unusually, looked a little bit stressed by the situation. The full-time whistle went and we would need another penalty shoot-out. FC Dad historically held the upper hand with 2 shoot-out wins out of 2 in our events. FC Mahou had 1 defeat out of 1. Could FC Dad be on the verge of a sensational comeback win or would FC Mahou go on to complete yet another title win?

FC Mahou would take the first penalty and it was top scorer Michael Brandon to go first. He duly put his team 1-0 up. Calum Jones (penalty shoot-out hero in Warsaw 2020) up next but he saw his penalty saved by Marc Lawrie (4 clean sheets today). Pete Armstrong was up next for FC Mahou who successfully scored to his left. Stuart Leslie stepped forward and had to score – he did, top left hand corner. It meant Mark Watkins had a chance to win the title for his team. He scored his penalty in the losing shoot-out (Algarve Veterans 2018 Cup Semi-Final) and he scored again – this time sparking wild celebrations for his team. The nature of the celebrations showed just how far FC Dad had pushed them.

Please spare a thought for FC Dad – they had put in a stunning effort and came close to that first eurofootballfives.com title only to have it snatched from their grasp! Our sincere commiserations to them on this occasion especially as they end the tournament unbeaten in normal time.

Individual honours of the day went to Mike Brandon, 7 goals and the golden boot. His fourth such award having also won this prize at the 2013 Algarve Open, 2018 Algarve Veterans and 2019 Alicante Veterans.

Our congratulations go to FC Mahou on their fourth eurofootballfives.com victory. They move to second in the all-time list of most successful teams. Only CIS Committee of Belarus are ahead of them (on 5). FC Mahou were brilliant on the day and deserved their celebrations.