With 56 games gone before, there was just one more game left to decide the winners of the tournament – the 2011 Valencia Fives Cup Final. We had a great final in store and a fantastic crowd assembled by Pitch A. There was no doubt who the crowd were supporting as Skidmarks received the vast majority of the support. Los de Casa had fought well to make the Cup Final but had not made too many friends along the way.

It was no surprise that the crowd went wild when Luke Hatfield put Skidmarks ahead. It was his 13th of the tournament and he was 99.9% certain of being the competition's top goalscorer. Only something completely extraordinary would prevent him claiming that award with a member of Los de Casa needing to score 9 in this game to prevent him – never gonna happen.

Hatfield took the plaudits of the crowd but Skidmarks required a great save from goalkeeper Paul Mulvey to preserve the 1-0 lead at half-time. Going into the second half the game was still on a knife edge and the crowd could sense it. Los de Casa were largely restricted to long-range efforts but it would only need a deflection or a wonder strike to see them level. Skidmarks needed a second goal and they got it through James Furniss – his first of the day and what a time to get it.

Skidmarks had one hand on the trophy but it was not a done deal yet. When Neil Taylor made it 3-0 you sensed that everyone knew it was game over – Skidmarks, Los de Casa and the crowd. It was beginning to become a party atmosphere on Pitch A so when Simon Tiller made it 4-0 the cheers rung out.

It was a great win for Skidmarks and they had played superbly from their opening game right through to the last minute of the Final. They had picked up 7 successive wins and scored goals for fun. Combine that with a solid defence and they were very worthy winners.

Los De Casa had suffered the curse of the defending champions when it came to a second successive final. Teams had come close before in trying to retain a title but often fell at the final hurdle. England's Goldsmith Williams won the 2008 Prague Masters only to lose the 2009 final to Lozenetz City of Bulgaria. The Bulgarians then lost the 2010 final to Olympic Phil Babb. Spanish team Anglo Knights won the 2009 Barcelona Fives and reached the 2010 final where they lost to Magic Monkeys. Only Athletico Do Hollande have bucked this trend when they claimed the 2010 and 2011 Algarve Open titles. Could Skidmarks emulate them in 2012?

We send our congratulations to all the teams who participated in what was a great day's competition. The tournament had everything and we look forward to seeing you all again very soon.