Results
 

Duktil Balear (Spa)

4

V

2

FC Miracle (Hun)

AFC Blue Boys (Pol)

1

v

2

FC Poloboc (Mda)

 

We were at the 2023 Mallorca Veterans Tournament Cup Semi-Final stage and from the 20 teams who signed we were down to the final 4 – already an achievement for those who were still in the hunt for glory. We still had 4 nations competing with Spain, Hungary, Poland and Moldova all up for the Cup. The first Cup Semi-Final would see Duktil Balear (Spa) versus FC Miracle (Hun).

The general buzz around the tournament was that Duktil Balear were favourites for the tournament having knocked out 2x winners FC Mahou and enjoying 4 wins out of 5 overall. This was quite the call as FC Miracle had an outstanding record in our events. In 9 tournaments with us (Open Age and Veterans) this was their 7 th Cup Semi-Final and of the previous 6 Semi-Finals they had progressed to the Cup Final on 4 occasions.

It would be an outstanding achievement for them to reach a fifth Cup Final but they knew it would be difficult. A quick chat with the Hungarian captain prior to the game suggested that FC Miracle were tiring. In terms of average age, the Hungarians were the older of the two squads so this could well be a factor. Duktil Balear were still looking as fresh as their opening game.

Duktil Balear did get off to the faster start and they opened up a 2-0 lead thanks to Daniel Suarez Rordan. When David Soler Hibernon scored his 10 th of the tournament to make it 3-0 they looked like they would be the first team in the Cup Final. FC Miracle are an obstinate beast though and a Janos Gal before half-time kept them in it at 3-1.

Quique extended that lead back to three goals in the second half which effectively sealed their victory but there was still time for Laszlo Zsolt to make it 4-2. Alas for FC Miracle this would be their last goal of the day.

It was a tough exit for FC Miracle but many congratulations on a great day's play. We look forward to seeing them again for what will be tournament #10.

 
 
 

So, who would take their place in the Final from the second Semi-Final? The two teams set to do battle were AFC Blue Boys and FC Poloboc.

Today was AFC Blue Boys fifth appearance in our events and the most successful to date. Previously their record had read:

2021 Barcelona Fives: Plate Runners Up

2022 Mallorca Fives: Cup Quarter-Final and Plate Quarter-Final

2022 Lisbon Tournament: Plate Quarter-Final

2022 Barcelona Fives: Cup Semi-Finals

Although matching their 2022 Barcelona Fives performance in terms of reaching the Cup Semi-Finals, today they had done so with a 100% record. 5 wins out of 5. Could a first Cup Final be theirs?

FC Poloboc was breaking new ground with every step on debut. They started brilliantly with 3 wins and now had two draws in a row – no surprise as the fixtures were getting harder. They had shown they could win from the front, recover from going a goal down and also were very adept at penalties should they be required. This was going to be an epic encounter.

It was AFC Blue Boys who struck first in this match with Artur Sukiennik claiming his 8 th goal of the day, a fine personal return for him. The match reached half-time with the Polish team still 1-0 up and they were half-way to a sixth successive victory. FC Poloboc were still very much in this tie and they drew level after the break with Andrei Cucovei to thank with his fourth goal of the day. The Moldovan side then turned the game around as Alexandru Borja scored his third of the day to put FC Poloboc 2-1 up. The game was very much in the balance until the final whistle as AFC Blue Boys threw everything they could at their opponents in search of an equalizer and FC Poloboc sought a third goal to kill off the tie. In the end, the referee blew for full-time with the score still at 2-1. FC Poloboc had done it – the Cup Final awaited them.

What can we say to console AFC Blue Boys? They are so close to that maiden first Cup Final – going out 2-1 at the Cup Semi-Final stage two tournaments in a row. An amazing performance today with some memorable victories.

 
 
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Veterans

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

 
 
 
 

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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