The first final of the day would see Wafty Crankers versus Saipan FC. With seven 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.

Saipan FC were in a final on debut so the whole experience was new to them. Wafty Crankers were also appearing in their first final but they had come so very close before having gone out in the Semi-Finals in the 2008 Prague Masters and 2010 Barcelona Fives. They had already gone one stage further, could they go all the way?

In our history we have had four previous Plate Finals with England versus Irish opposition. As you can see below the majority of finals have gone in favour of the English team albeit by narrow margins.

2008 Prague Masters: Prisoners (Eng) 2-2 Shooting Shamrocks (Ire). Prisoners win 6-5 on penalties.

2008 Amsterdam Fives: Jordans Town (Nir) bt Over Crusaders 1-0 (Eng).

2011 Barcelona Fives: Bristol Bridge (Eng) 1-0 Intermore FC (Ire)

2011 Amsterdam Fives: Rigford Seahawks Omega (Eng) 1-0 Deportivo Dooradoyle (Ire)

The Republic of Ireland had yet to claim a Plate Final victory – could Saipan FC be the first?

Things were going well at half-time with the teams level at 0-0. It was anybody's guess who would emerge victorious. It could quite easily be one moment of brilliance that decided this final but we got two – one a neat finish from Wafty Crankers' James Rowlands and also a Captain's goal from Saipan FC's Barry Lysaght. In normal time we finished 1-1 and memories of the 2008 Plate Final came flooding back.

Back in 2008 a Golden Goal proved elusive and we went to penalties. Not today though as we were to witness a Golden Goal in the Czech Republic. Saipan FC had already claimed one Golden Goal today in the Quarter-Finals but they were on the wrong end of it this time as Neill Fraser applied the finishing touch to send his team into ecstasy. Fraser disappeared under a bundle of his team-mates. The Golden Goal is a great way to win such is the finality of the goal but it is also a cruel way to lose as your hopes are suddenly dashed.

Saipan FC, whilst disappointed, should not be disconsolate though as they added a great deal to this tournament and we are sure success will come to them in future tournaments.

For today though, we present you the 2011 Prague Masters Plate Winners – Wafty Crankers.