The 2023 Mallorca Tournament Plate Final would see World Pinteur versus Urbansport as France met Spain. With five games of football already under their belts (10 for World Pinteur who were also competing in the Veterans) the two teams would need to summon one last burst of energy to ensure they would be picking up winners medals and the trophy in the presentation.

Let's have a look at the two teams' credentials for the Plate title:

World Pinteur (Fra)

Record today: Played 5, Won 1, Drawn 3, Lost 1.

Goal difference today: 5-6 (-1)

Current unbeaten run: 1 game.

Today's top goalscorer: Various (1)

Clean sheets: 4

Urbansport (Spa)

Record today: Played 5, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 1.

Goal difference today: 10-8 (+2)

Current unbeaten run: 1 game.

Today's top goalscorer: Thiago (8)

Clean sheets: 3

As you can see, stats-wise, there was very little to choose between the two teams. Each team had lost just once and that was each to Ecuador 100%. When the two teams met earlier in the tournament they drew 0-0. The teams did meet in the group phase last year two which Urbansport won 3-0 although World Pinteur had 2 teams so had diluted their strength.

Urbansport were in the final for the second consecutive year and looking to avenge defeat at the hands of Bayern Badonde 12 months ago. World Pinteur were in their second final with us – it was some 7 years ago at the 2016 Lisbon Tournament where they lost in the Cup Final. Notably, both of those losses were via penalties.

The stage was set, let's get the action underway. It was a very even contest and there was very little to choose between the two teams on the pitch as well as you would expect from two teams competing for glory. Marc Gouadon gave World Pinteur the lead in the first half with a vital goal. It was a lead the French team would maintain until half-time.

After the change of ends, it was Urbansport on the attack looking for an equalizer. The game was getting feisty as World Pinteur defended for their lives and Urbansport were throwing everything at their opponents. In the end the pressure yielded a goal and it was Steven who scored it. The game eventually finished 1-1 and we would need a penalty shoot-out to decide this one.

It was World Pinteur's third penalty shoot-out of the day! Having lost their first 4 in eurofootballfives.com competition they won their previous one in the Semi-Final so would have renewed confidence. Urbansport must have feared history repeating itself from last year.

World Pinteur would shoot first and goalkeeper Benoit Botteau would take it and score. He then saved from Thiago to give his team first blood. Eric Lemoisson scored to make it 2-0 although the Urbansport ‘keeper did get something on it but couldn't keep it out. Steven converted to make it 2-1 but Aurelien Ludot re-established the lead at 3-1. Dany had to score to keep Urbansport in it which meant captain Richard Leibovici had the chance to win it for his team. Leibovici duly obliged to spark mass celebrations. The celebrations on the pitch were only bettered by the celebrations during the presentation. Amazing stuff!

First of all we offer our consolations to Urbansport on a fine campaign – they could not have got much closer to the Plate winners' trophy for the second season in a row.

Huge congratulations go to our 2023 Mallorca Tournament Plate champions though – World Pinteur. A first eurofootballfives.com trophy and maybe a stepping stone to a Cup win next time!

Open Age

(For the Veterans, click introduction and then select the relevant Veterans section)