The first final of the day would see Bear Ballerz versus Stats FC. The two teams would need to summon one last burst of energy to ensure they would be collecting winners medals and the winning trophy later this afternoon.

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

Bear Ballerz (Fra)

Previous best: 2022 Amsterdam Sixes Cup SF.

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

Goal difference today: 11-8

Current unbeaten run: 2 games.

Today's top goalscorer: Thomas Ricaux (6)

Clean sheets: 1

Stats FC (Eng)

Previous best: Debut

Record today: Played 6, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 2.

Goal difference today: 9-7

Current unbeaten run: 2 games.

Today's top goalscorer: Richard Cobbing (6)

Clean sheets: 2

If we were looking at a small clue as to how this game would pan out then we could look at Group C when Bear Ballerz played Stats FC's stablemates, Maths FC. The French team won 2-0 on that occasion. Stats FC and Maths FC had looked evenly matched when the teams drew 1-1 at the quarter-final stage so perhaps that may make Bear Ballerz slight favourites….although football doesn't always work like that.

The stage was set, let's get the action underway. It was Stats FC who struck first, showcasing their intent early on. Fred Bisson found the back of the net, putting the English side 1-0 ahead. Their well-organised defence and confident passing meant Bear Ballerz struggled to break through in the early stages. However, Bear Ballerz plugged away and found their rhythm as the first half progressed. The French team's persistence paid off when Jack Keen, who had scored in the previous round, calmly slotted home an equalizer. The game was level at half-time and we were still no closer to knowing who would be victorious.

The second half proved to be a tense and tightly contested affair. Stats FC, with their debut campaign on the line, pushed for a winner but were met with strong resistance from Bear Ballerz, who had grown in confidence. It became clear that just one moment could well decide the destination of the silverware, and it was Cedric Mercier who rose to the occasion. With composure and precision, Mercier seized his chance, firing in the decisive goal that put Bear Ballerz 2-1 ahead. The French side defended resolutely in the closing stages, with Mercier's strike proving to be the difference in a hard-fought contest.

First of all we offer our consolations to Stats FC on a fine campaign. In their debut tournament, they can hold their heads high despite the narrow defeat in the Plate Final and having progressed from a tough group. Though they fell just short, their impressive debut run at the 2024 Porto Sixes signals a bright future ahead in our tournaments and proved they can compete at the highest level.

Bear Ballerz had come into the tournament as an experienced team with a strong pedigree, having previously reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Amsterdam Sixes Cup. But this time, they went one step further. While Thomas Ricaux had been their top scorer with six goals throughout the day, it was the combined efforts of Jack Keen and Cedric Mercier, both of whom scored in the semi-final and the final, that propelled them to victory in the latter stages of this tournament. Keen's equaliser and Mercier's match-winner demonstrated the team's depth and their ability to deliver in the biggest moments.

Huge congratulations go to our 2024 Porto Sixes Plate champions – Bear Ballerz.

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