Results
 

Tricolor (Mda)

8

v

2

Los Guerreros (Eng)

FC Moldova United (Mda)

3

V

1

FC Tpaktop (CIS)
 

.

We were down to our final 4 teams in the Plate competition with 2 teams from Moldova, 1 from England and 1 from CIS all prepared to do battle. The first Plate Semi-Final brought together Tricolor (Mda) and Los Guerreros (Eng). Tricolor came into the Plate as the highest ranked of the four teams and the only one with a positive goal difference from the group phase (14-11). They started slowly with 2 defeats but had now won 2 in a row that included a sensational victory over 3-times winners FC Poloboc. Los Guerreros knew they had their work cut out.

Los Guerreros had pedigree of their own having reached the Cup Quarter-Finals at the 2022 Mallorca Fives at Open Age level. They were appearing in their second Plate Semi-Final at Veterans level having also done so at the 2024 Mallorca Veterans. They drew 0-0 with Valencia's VTF Elite before going out on pens 3-2. Could they advance to the final on this occasion?

Los Guerreros made the perfect start when Dan Azzopardi fired the English side into the lead and raised hopes of a place in the Plate Final. However, the Moldovans responded impressively. Eujeniu Cubricou levelled the scores before Victor Creanga took centre stage with two well-taken goals to turn the match on its head. By the time Victor Unguriano added a fourth, Tricolor had seized complete control of proceedings. Although Azzopardi struck again to reduce the deficit to 4–2, Unguriano's second goal of the game restored the three-goal cushion and ensured Tricolor carried a commanding 5–2 lead into the break.

Any hopes of a Los Guerreros comeback were extinguished in the second half as Tricolor continued to attack with confidence and precision. Sasa Buso extended the advantage to 6–2 before Unguriano completed his hat-trick to cap a superb individual display. There was still time for him to add a fourth goal of the game as Tricolor ran out emphatic 8–2 winners. Having already produced one of the shocks of the group stage by defeating FC Poloboc, the Moldovans once again demonstrated their attacking quality, booking their place in the Plate Final in style. For Los Guerreros, the scoreline was harsh after a bright opening, but their tournament would come to an end against a Tricolor side that proved irresistible going forward.

 
 
 

On Campo 4 we had FC Moldova United versus FC Tpaktop. FC Moldova United could help create history with a win which would mark our first Moldova v Moldova final. FC Tpaktop would be determined to stop them. FC Tpaktop were experienced at the latter stages of our tournaments with 2x Cup Semi-Finals under their belts (2022 Barcelona Fives, 2025 Porto Veterans) and 4x Plate Semi-Finals (2023 Mallorca Veterans, 2025 Prague Veterans, 2025 Porto Veterans, 2025 Barcelona Veterans). In those Plate Semi-Finals they had a 50:50 record going on to the final in Prague and Porto where they were runners-up on both occasions.

FC Tpaktop's experience in knockout football showed during a tight and cagey first half in which chances were at a premium. FC Moldova United enjoyed spells of possession and looked the more likely side to make the breakthrough, but the CIS team defended resolutely and ensured the match remained finely balanced. As the half-time whistle blew with the score still locked at 0–0, both teams knew that one moment of quality could be decisive.

That moment arrived after the interval and it came from FC Moldova United's leading scorer, Alexei Gorii. He broke the deadlock with a clinical finish before striking again to double the advantage and put the Moldovans firmly in control of the semi-final. With FC Tpaktop now forced to chase the game, spaces began to appear and Vitalie Tasca took full advantage, extending the lead to 3–0 and seemingly putting the result beyond doubt.

To their credit, FC Tpaktop continued to battle until the very end and earned a consolation when Leonid Sislo scored his third goal of the tournament. The strike moved him onto the top scorer leaderboard and gave his side something to show for their efforts. However, there would be no comeback as FC Moldova United secured a fine 3–1 victory. The result not only booked their place in the Plate Final but also guaranteeing that first-ever Moldova versus Moldova final.

 
 
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