As we entered the fifth round of games each match was becoming progressively more important. Games were running out and points were becoming increasingly valuable.

Next up was Les 5 Salopards versus FC Tpaktop II. We have referenced the 2023 Mallorca Veterans a number of times today. This match featured two teams that came face-to-face in Mallorca when Les Salopards won 4-1. Essentially it was the game that saw Les Salopards qualify for the Cup and FC Tpaktop go into the Plate. Could FC Tpaktop get their revenge today?

It started well with Leonid Sislo putting them 1-0 up. However, Les 5 Salopards were to fight back. Mounir Tarbir hit the equalizer before Nadir Tarbi put the French team ahead. 2-1 became 3-1 as Nadir Tarbi took his tournament tally to 6 goals.

The game was not yet won as Artiom Vlasov reduced the deficit to 3-2. However, it was too little too late as time ran out on FC Tpaktop II. The game was closer in terms of the score in Prague than Mallorca but they were unable to stop Les 5 Salopards claiming victory again.

Les Salopards moved into outright second place.

Game 15 of Group B was a big game for World Pinteur. There was a triumvirate of French teams chasing FC Poloboc at the top. Les 5 Salopards had already played in Round 5…and won. The A Team had already played in Round 5…and won. Could World Pinteur match those results?

Their opponents in this game would be Shrewsbury Townsend. The English team came into this game on the back of a 3-0 win. Another win would actually see them go level with World Pinteur and pretty much guarantee their safe passage into the knockout phase. Momentum can go a long way in these events and World Pinteur had just lost for the first time and they were soon to be behind in this one. Shrewsbury Townsend took the lead through their #10, Tom Penn. World Pinteur were up against it but they fought back through Richard Leibovici, 1-1.

Shrewsbury Townsend showed their resilience by putting this disappointment behind them and regaining the lead. This time it was #33 Joey Massarella on target with his second of the day. The English team did not have the monopoly on resilience as World Pinteur showed they could come back not once but twice. Richard Leibovici was the man to draw his side level for a second time.

In the end, there was nothing to separate the teams and both teams had to settle for a Desmond (2-2). Having been behind twice, it may have felt like a point gained for World Pinteur but in the context of the group it was damaging for their Cup aspirations.