Semi-Finals

The first Cup Semi-Final saw two team's with 100% records go head to head. East Germany and SK Zelenec had also both come through their quarter-finals in relatively emphatic style. East Germany, with the nucleus of the Southampton Muppets squad from 12 months ago were now in unchartered territory having bowed out at the Quarter-Final stage last year. SK Zelenec had the luxury of drawing on experience from the 2008 Prague Masters semi-final earlier in the year. However, they may not want to dwell on that too much as they were on the wrong end of a 9-2 scoreline dished out by eventual winners Goldsmith Williams. They were hoping to improve on that performance this time round.

They certainly did improve and this semi-final, as expected, proved to be a close game. Midway through the second half the teams found themselves locked at 2-2. The fifth goal proved to be the decisive goal and it was scored by Scott Croucher who rounded the keeper and slotted home from an acute angle. The Czech's were then chasing the game in search of an equaliser. Alas for them, they could not find it and while in search of that elusive goal conceded another which sealed their fate. The final score was 4-2 to East Germany. Ian Bishop (2) and Ben Craig scoring the other goals for East Germany.

Consistency for SK Zelenec with two Cup semi-final appearances and you feel there is a final in them to come. East Germany now had a final to prepare for.

The second semi-final was every bit as exciting as the first semi-final when Kehar Club and Premier Medical met for the second time in the tournament. Kehar Club also brought previous Cup semi-final experience to the game as they beat English opposition, That's Right, 4-0 in the 2007 Prague Masters tournament before going on to win the title. They were looking to be the first team to reach two Cup finals in eurofootballfives competition.

Earlier in the day these two teams met in Group C with Kehar Club edging a close game 2-1. Premier Medical were out for revenge while Kehar Club would be happy with more of the same. It certainly looked like being more of the same as Kehar Club opened up a 3-1 lead through Jan Cihal, Martin Sekerka and Pavel Trminek. James Emery had scored the goal for Premier Medical. Kehar Club would have felt comfortable with a two goal advantage but they would have had to sweat once Harry Brunjes Jnr reduced the arrears to 3-2. This game was all to play for again until Martin Drazan, with his first of the tournament, settled matters to secure a 4-2 victory.

A more than competent tournament debut for Premier Medical, a sign of things to come from them. Kehar Club marched on to another final appearance.

Final

Just like the Plate Final, the Cup Final would be a Czech Republic versus England. Kehar Club bidding to be the first team to lift two eurofootballfives.com titles against East Germany . The final proved to be a classic and what the game lacked in goals was certainly made up for in drama, tension, excitement, incident and quality.

Testament to these two sides performances was evidenced by how many spectators gathered to line the pitch sides to watch these two teams do battle. This generated a superb atmosphere for the final. Both Kehar Club and East Germany went into the final full of confidence with six wins out of six and needing one final push to go all the way to lift silverware.

In the game itself, the teams could not be split. While the teams showed attacking intent each wave of attack was repelled by two quality defences. As the clock ticked away in the second half, with the teams locked at 0-0, we witnessed one of the turning points of the game. In a moment of ill-discipline from Kehar Club, the Czech side were reduced to four players following a straight red card for dissent and swearing at the referee. This was a shame for the final but did make for interesting and compelling viewing.

The whole dynamic of the final changed from an even end-to-end contest to one where East Germany drove forward to take advantage of their extra man whilst Kehar Club defended for their lives and relied on the counter attack. Kehar Club's defence stood firm until the final whistle of normal time with the scores 0-0.

Into Golden Goal extra time we went. Time was ticking for East Germany to find a winner as the last thing they would want is for this final to go to penalties. With the extra man and tiring Kehar Club legs they had the upper hand and would not want to give this away to the lottery of penalties. Kehar Club on the other hand probably would have taken this if you asked them.

Penalties would not be needed though as cometh the hour cometh the man. Paul Edwards stepped up with a strike from distance. Kehar Club keeper Frantisek Bartinek flung himself to his left but could not quite get across to prevent the ball nestling in the bottom corner.

The goal sent the players, subs and spectators into raptures. The elation of the East Germany contingent as they stormed the pitch was in stark contrast to the disappointment written all over the Czech players faces.

Congratulations to East Germany on a fantastic victory. A big thank you to all 14 teams on the day who ensured the tournament was a great success. We hope to see you all again in the future.