The eurofootballfives Veterans Tournament is a moveable feast and, after the veritable delights of Lisbon 2016, we return to Mallorca in 2017. Our Veterans Tournament made its debut in Lisbon 2013 before moving on to Mallorca 2014, the Algarve 2015, back to Lisbon in 2016 and we are delighted to return to Mallorca again for the 5 th edition of the Veterans event.

Previous winners:

2013: Sao Marcos (Por)

2014: Palmesanos (Spa)

2015: Mini FC (Por)

2016: Sago (Por)

2017: Watch this space!

First up in Group A was FC Mahou versus WEEDS Youth with both teams possessing previous experience in our events. FC Mahou were competing in the Veterans tournament for the first time having taken the step up (in age terms) from our regular events. They won two Open Age events – the 2011 Prague Masters and 2013 Algarve Open – so would start the 2017 Mallorca Veterans Tournament as one of the favourites.

It always looked like being a difficult opening fixture for WEEDS Youth and that's certainly the way it proved. FC Mahou were ruthless as they raced to a 5-0 lead at half-time. Pete Cox scored the first goal of the tournament before Steve Sachro added a brace. Mike Brandon got on the score-sheet before Pete Coz added his second. In the second half Bernie Lebon and Mike Brandon added to the tally to record a resounding 7-0 win. WEEDS Youth could console themselves with the fact that not all games would be this tough.

Next up was Blue Water CF versus Dickie Dogs. Blue Water CF were on debut so this would be our first look at them. Dickie Dogs were hugely experienced at this level and had been ever-present at our Veterans Tournament – a big thank you to them for supporting our events.

Their association with eurofootballfives.com goes back to before we started our Veterans event – to the 2010 Valencia Fives in fact. They made an impressive debut in Valencia where they claimed the Group C title with an undefeated record of 3 wins and 1 draw. They then came undone against tournament runners-up, Galacticos, in the Cup Quarter-Finals. They followed this-up playing in the 2012 Budapest Fives were they said farewell at the Plate Quarter-Finals stage losing out to eventual winners, Csabagyongye of Hungary (who also won the Cup at the 2015 Budapest Fives).

Dickie Dogs were part of the inaugural Lisbon Veterans Tournament in 2013 and finished joint 5 th in the group table. A year later in the 2014 Mallorca Tournament they finished 3rd in Group A and went through to the Plate Final missing out on the victory narrowly (2-1) to Eagles 3:36. In the Algarve in 2015 they finished sixth in their group despite picking up a great win over Water Boy who have 1 Runners-Up and 2 Cup Semi-Final appearances in our Open Age Algarve Open.

The 2016 Lisbon Veterans Tournament saw a return to form with 2 wins and 1 draw as they secured third place (of 6 teams) in Group A and qualified for the Plate. They went out in the Plate Semi-Finals to eventual Plate winners Pioes.

Dickie Dogs FC were playing Spanish opposition for the third time in our Veterans tournament. On the previous two occasions they had drawn the games. They did so again – a hat-trick of draws – as the game finished 0-0.

The final fixture in the opening round of Group A was another case off Spanish team on debut versus a travelling team with experience of the eurofootballfives.com Veterans Tournament. It was C'an Pastilla Vets versus Stilton Rovers.

At least that is what was supposed to have happened – the game was a non-starter as local side Poppy's NFI were a no-show. Poor form and obviously massively disappointing for everyone at the tournament. With no time to find a replacement there was no option but to hand a 3-0 walkover win to Stilton Rovers – the easiest 3 points they'll ever get. It would mean a longer wait to get their campaign underway and we can only apologise for this.