2024 Mallorca Veterans 5-a-side Football Tournament Tour Report Plate Final

Results

Beijing Rockets (Chn)

VTF Elite (Spa)

The first Veterans final of the day would see VTF Elite versus Beijing Rockets. With five games of football already under their belt the two teams would need to summon one last burst of energy to ensure they would be picking up winners and not runners-up medals in the presentation.

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

VTF Elite (Spa)

Record today: Played 5, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 1.

Goal difference today: 6-4 (+2)

Current unbeaten run: 3 games.

Today's top goalscorer: Kevin Scollon (2)

Clean sheets: 3

Beijing Rockets (Chn)

Record today: Played 5, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 1.

Goal difference today: 8-5 (+3)

Current unbeaten run: 2 games.

Today's top goalscorer: Steven Hutt (3)

Clean sheets: 1

The stats were interesting as it showed both teams had enjoyed very similar records so far today. Both had 2 wins and 2 draws, goal difference was within a goal of each other. On paper this was going to be a very even contest.

We may have a little clue as how this game might go from when Beijing Rockets played VTF Elite's sister squad “VTF Reserves” in the group phase. On that occasion VTF Reserves won 2-0. VTF Reserves qualified for the Cup though so this game could be seen as being closer.

The stage was set so let's get the action underway. The first goal of the game in these games can often be crucial and so it was a great step forward for VTF Elite when Kevin Scollon scored his third goal of the tournament to put the men from Valencia a goal to the good. The goal would have come as a huge relief as VTF Elite had drawn blanks in their last two games against Rain Dragons and Los Guerreros.

Then, just like London buses a second goal came around very quickly. Tom Warren bagged the winning goal in the Semi-Final penalty shootout and he was on target again here to make it 2-0. VTF Elite maintained that lead until half-time.

At 2-0 down, Beijing Rockets had an uphill task to rescue the situation in the second half. However, if they could strike early it was game back on. It was to get worse for Beijing Rockets though as Aidan Lawlor stretched the VTF Elite lead to 3-0. That goal felt that it had secured the Plate victory because if they had an uphill task at 0-2 they had the proverbial mountain to climb at 0-3.

It was to get even better for VTF Elite as Joe Kersey made it 4-0 before Kevin Scollon added his second of the game and fourth of the tournament to secure a 5-0 victory. It was the joint largest margin of victory in a summer Veterans Plate Final equalling the record of Groundforce Lisboa who beat FC Dynamoes 5-0 in Lisbon in 2013.

First of all we offer our consolations to Beijing Rockets on a fine campaign – close but no cigar for them. For the Rockets it was a semi-final in Barcelona in 2023, a runner-up finish here so maybe third time lucky and the trophy next time out.

Huge congratulations though go to our 2024 Mallorca Veterans Five Plate champions – VTF Elite. A great performance from them.