Going into the final round of games there were 4 teams who all had a chance of reaching the Cup competition. Two of those teams would meet face to face in Game #13 of Group B. So, what was at stake:

Mavericks: They needed to win by 3 goals (or more) and hope Pioes v The Warriors was a draw to go through on goals scored (or goal difference).

Tanagra: They had already secured Cup qualification (as Pioes v The Warriors would take points off each other) but could secure the Group B win with victory. A draw/defeat would be enough if Pioes failed to win. If they lost, Pioes won then Pioes would be Group B winners. If they drew then Pioes would need to win by 6 or more to win Group B.

There was certainly more at stake for Mavericks and you could tell they were up for this one. Their efforts were rewarded in the first half after fine work by Grant Taylor on the right and a peach of a pass behind the last defender saw Vas Michael apply the finish for 1-0. Mavericks then showed us how to see a game out as they completed a fine 1-0 victory which ended Tanagra's unbeaten run. It was a great win.

Mavericks themselves remained unbeaten but they would miss out on the Cup and play in the Plate. As The Warriors and Pioes would meet each other the best they could now finish was third.

Ashtead Vets and WEEDS met on Pitch A with both teams knowing this would be their final game at the 2016 Lisbon Tournament. Neither team could qualify for the Plate but they both had the chance to end their tournament on a high.

The teams were playing for pride, honour and (nominally) for 5th position. A win for either would secure 5th and a draw would see Ashtead Vets achieve that position. It was a familiar feeling for WEEDS in the first half as they saw themselves trail by the odd goal – Matt Fowkes of Ashtead Vets the scorer this time.

After the break we heard one of the biggest cheers of the day emanate from Pitch D and it was to greet Graeme “Spinky” Spink's** strike for WEEDS – their first of the day and first in eurofootballfives.com competition. The very least they deserved for their efforts this morning.

Sadly for WEEDS it would not earn them any points as Ashtead Vets scored twice in the second half through James Griffiths and Matt Fowkes again. It was Fowkes 3rd of the tournament and 5th eurofootballfives.com goal overall.

It was a great note to end on for Ashtead Vets. We would like to thank both teams for participating in the tournament and we very much hope to see you next year when the Veterans Tournament rolls on to Mallorca in June 2017.

** This goal has since been referred to the dubious goals panel for a case of mistaken identity. The goal for WEEDS was actually a wonder volley that came from the boot of Luke Walden.

The final game of Group B was The Warriors versus Pioes in what promised to be a thrilling finale. Both teams had Cup qualification in their own hands.

Pioes: If the Portuguese team could win then they would not only qualify for the Cup but they would win Group B. A draw would see them qualify at the expense of The Mavericks on goal difference. Defeat would see them qualify for the Plate.

The Warriors: A draw or defeat would mean they finish in 4th position and qualify for the Plate. A win would see them qualify for the Cup in second position at the expense of their opponents. A 7 goal win would see them Group B champions.

With the match underway on Pitch D there was nothing to divide the teams in the opening half and we reached the break level at 0-0. This was a result that favoured the Portuguese.

In the second half, The Warriors took the lead through Alex Finney's third of the tournament and it set-up a feisty end to the match. Pioes were becoming increasingly frustrated in their efforts to equalize both due to good defending from The Warriors and also, in their eyes, the refereeing. We thought the referee got all the big decisions spot on and The Warriors certainly got their defending spot on as goalkeeper Matt Elsey kept his second clean sheet of the day.

It was a great win for The Warriors as they qualified in second position. Pioes slipped to fourth and would play in the Plate.