We had a great Cup Final in prospect for the 2013 Mallorca Fives as Grant Thornton of France met Skidmarks of England.

Skidmarks were aiming to make it 3 tournament wins out of 3 and add to their trophy collection. On debut they claimed the 2011 Valencia Fives title and followed this up with victory in the 2012 Krakow Trophy. Only Olympic Phil Babb had managed this before in our tournaments (Amsterdam 2008, Algarve 2009, Prague 2010, Budapest 2011).

Grant Thornton would surely prove their toughest test yet and of course they had met earlier in the day – the very first game of Group A. Grant Thornton lead in that one before a late Skidmarks equalizer. Grant Thornton were appearing in their first final so maybe nerves would tell a little.

We were treated to a game that was worthy of a final and was end to end stuff. There were chances at both ends and it was a little like a basketball game with the teams seemingly taking it in turns to attack. The highlights for Grant Thornton were when Cedric Casterede hit the post and the French also forced Paul Mulvey into a good save. At the other end Neil Taylor forced Mickael Martin in the French goal to claw one away to safety after it looked a certain goal. Half-time, 0-0.

Usually you say it looks like the first goal would win a contest in a tight game but this game was open and it still looked like the first goal would win it. You could sense that a goal would deflate the team who conceded it after putting in so much effort whereas the team who scored it would get a huge lift.

Grant Thornton started the second half brightly with Casterede (proving to be the French talisman) forcing a good save from Mulvey again before the games talking point. A ‘foul' on Cedric Casterede in the Skidmarks box and a penalty was given. The general concensus on the sidelines was that it was a foul and inside the area but there was some doubt on the pitch and afterwards. The doubt afterwards was some people thought it was inside the box and others out, some thought it was a foul whereas others didn't. From our angle we'd have given it from the sidelines but others from a different angle maybe wouldn't have – it provided a little controversy in an otherwise uncontentious match and tournament.

Cedric Casterede despatched the penalty and it was 1-0 Grant Thornton. Having had no controversy all day there was then a very good shout for a second penalty as an Olivier Douard strike from distance hit a hand in the penalty area. But nothing was given. If Skidmarks felt aggrieved by the first decision they benefitted from this one.

Skidmarks then came close to a leveler as they struck the crossbar. At 2-0 you may have thought the game was over but at 1-0 it was all to play for. Skidmarks then substituted their goalkeeper to bring on another outfield player and use the stand-in goalkeeper as a sweeper to chase the game and find the equalizer. It was a clever tactic but one that was not fully tested as the stand-in goalkeeper's first task was to pick a sweetly struck free-kick from Olivier Douard out of the back of the net. We were right behind the free-kick and it was a great hit – power and accuracy.

There was not enough time left in the game for Skidmarks and we finished at 2-0. It was a great effort from them in the hunt for tournament win #3…the champagne will be on ice for that one we're sure.

The winners of the 2013 Mallorca Fives – Grant Thornton…

…a superb win for them. After their exit in the 2011 Budapest Fives Cup QF we said, “ On another day, we are sure they will be lifting a eurofootballfives.com trophy in the future.” Nostradamus eat your heart out.

We also congratulate Grant Thornton's Cedric Casterede who claimed the Top Goalscorer Award. He finished on 7 goals for the tournament.

Our congratulations also go to Son Gual in the Plate competition. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our teams who participated in what was a great day's competition. It was a pleasure to host you all and we hope to see you all again at a tournament very soon.