Up next was the Aston Birra versus Urbansports Vets game which we chalked up as a 3-0 win to the team from Ecuador. At this stage, we also brought forward the VTF Elite versus Urbansports Vets result so the remaining four teams in the group would know exactly what they needed to.

It meant we had Aston Birra leading the way on 9 points, VTF Elite had finished their games on 7 points, Rain Dragons on 4 points and Lucanos Locos on 3 points but with an extra game to play.

First up was Aston Birra versus Lucanos Locos. Aston Birra came into the game knowing that just a point would be enough to secure the Group B title. A win would see them complete the group with a 100% record whilst a defeat could potentially see them slip to second if Lucanos Locos also won their final game. Lucanos Locos could climb from fourth to third immediately with a win. They would then have a game in hand that could potentially see them win the group.

Aston Birra had scored 6 and conceded just one goal so far today but they were soon to concede a second. Pawel Zablocki was the man to put Lucanos Locos ahead. Last time Aston Birra went behind (to Rain Dragons) they recovered with three goals in reply. When Lucanos Locos reached half-time in this one though they retained their 1-0 lead.

The second half continued with an intense contest that felt like a group decider. Aston Birra had qualified for the Cup whatever happened here but they were certainly going for at least a point to win the group. All their efforts were denied by the Lucanos Locos defence as goalkeeper Radek Cyfert would keep a clean sheet. At the other end the Polish team were unable to extend their lead and the game finished 1-0. A fantastic result for Lucanos Locos.

We went into Game 10 of Group B with Lucanos Locos due to host Rain Dragons. Lucanos Locos would start the game in third position in the table. A win would see them top the group and reach the Cup. A 0-0 draw would see them go level with with VTF Elite but miss out on goals scored. A 2-2 or higher scoring draw would see them finish second and reach the Cup on goals scored. A 1-1 draw would see them finish with identical points, identical goals for and against and so it would come down to head-to-head against VTF Elite (which VTF Elite won 3-1). A defeat would see a 3 rd /4 th place finish depending on goal difference but would mean Plate qualification either way.

For Rain Dragons, Cup qualification was possible but they had to win. If they won 2-1 it would see them finish with identical points, identical goals for and against with VTF Elite and so it would come down to head-to-head which was 0-0. We would therefore need a penalty shoot-out to separate them and decide who qualified for the Cup and would go to the Plate. A higher scoring one goal win or larger margin of victory would see Rain Dragons automatically reach the Cup. A 1-0 win, draw or defeat would result in Plate qualification.

The pre-match permutations were quite complicated but as it transpired on the pitch it was all quite simple. Lucanos Locos came into the game on the back of a morale-boosting win over Aston Birra. They continued their form into this game and that match against Aston Birra almost acted as a warm up for them to get into top gear. Lucanos Locos raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time. Pawel Zablocki, Radek Kliszcz and Pawel Orzechowski were all on target.

There was no respite for Rain Dragons after the break as Daniel Kuty and Janusz Dominik found the back of the net. 5 goals, 5 different scorers and a 5 star performance from Lucanos Locos that saw them crowned as Group B champions. Huge congratulations to them. For Rain Dragons it was a disappointing end to the group stage but they still had the Plate Semi-Finals to look forward to.

Veterans

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