The Valencia Fives was entrusted to kick-off our 2014 season and it didn't disappoint. It was our 5th tournament in Valencia and to date we have had winners from England (2), Spain and Hungary. With teams from all 3 of those nations and also Ireland this year who would be victorious at 17.00 this afternoon?

To kick us off we had Saipan FC (Ire) versus Finca Del Tutu (Spa). Saipan FC were making their 5th eurofootballfives appearance. Their previous adventure in the 2013 Berlin Fives saw them finish Runners-Up in the Plate. This wasn't the first time they had come so close to glory with a Plate Runners-Up finish in the 2011 Prague Masters (narrowly via Golden Goal) and a Cup Runners-Up finish in the 2012 Barcelona Fives (narrowly via Golden Goal). Their 3rd appearance was in the group format of the Plate Champion of Champions Tournament where they finished in 3rd place – just 3 points off glory. Could Valencia be their breakthrough victory?

Their opponents were on debut so were an unknown quantity to us but Finca Del Tutu got off to a fine start leading their travelling opponents 2-1 at the break. Goals from Jorge Herrero Jimenez and Juan Jesus Castells Duizo had put them in the ascendency. Agus Benedito Galmes had claimed Saipan's first of the day.

After the break Adrian Gonzalez Mercado increased the Spanish lead to 3-1 before Albert Llussa reduced the arrears to 3-2. Finca Del Tutu had done enough though to claim the victory.

It was Spain versus England in match #2 of Group A as Sparta and Boca Seniors took to the field. The local team and the travelling team were both on debut so it would be a brave bookie to put odds on this one before kick-off.

It was first blood to Sparta with the game underway as Christian Perello Agudo opened the scoring. They extended the lead to 2-0 thanks to a strike from Antonio Garcia Medrano and at the break it was Sparta who were in the driving seat.

In the second half Simon Mohan scored Boca Seniors first goal in Europe but it would ultimately prove to be a consolation as further goals for Sparta from Oscar Navarro Lopez and a second of the game for Antonio Garcia Medrano secured a 4-1 victory.

Sparta would top the embryonic league table and Boca Seniors now had some experience of continental football under their belts.

The final team to begin their Group A challenge was Che Que Bo!!! of Spain. The Spanish team were another team making their debut in our tournaments today. They would play Saipan FC who had already played this morning and so would be warmed up already.

It was Che Que Bo!!! who made the ideal start though as Pablo Robles Minguert claimed the opening goal of the game. Saipan FC were nothing but resilient though and they hit back through Ignacio Mochales Cuesta to level the scores. It was then Saipan FC who forged ahead with another strike from Ignacio Mochales Cuesta.

The second half began with Saipan FC 2-1 to the good but it was the turn of Che Que Bo!!! to show their resilience as David Ortiz Navarro struck to make it 2-2. At the final whistle the score remained even at 2-2 and it would be a point each for these two teams who had battled well.

Finca Del Tutu were back in action again against Sparta in Game 4 of Group A. Both teams had started well picking up wins in their first game. Another win now and the victors would be in charge of Group A. It was first blood to Finca Del Tutu as Jorge Herrero Jimenez scored for the second game in a row gave his side a 1-0 lead. It was a lead they would hold until half-time.

How would Sparta respond? Pretty well is the answer as Oscar Navarro Lopez also scored for the second game in a row to make it 1-1. They then took the lead for the first time when Antonio Garcia Medrano continued the trend of scoring in successive games to make it 2-1. Bota Ioan-Radu made it 3-1 with his first of the day and with that polished off a fine comeback and a fine victory.

The result meant Sparta were looking good at the top of the table. The defeat was a setback for Finca Del Tutu but they were still mid-table with two games to go.

The next game was Boca Seniors versus Che Que Bo!!! as England met Spain for the second time in Group A. Boca Seniors needed to bounce back from opening game defeat in a tough opening fixture whereas Che Que Bo!!! were looking to build upon a solid opening point.

It was Che Que Bo!!! who struck first as David Ortiz Navarro made it two goals in two games for him. The goal would give the Spanish team a 1-0 advantage at the turnaround. When Adrian Sancha Llamosi doubled the lead for Che Que Bo!!! in the second half it looked like the hosts were on their way to all 3 points. Boca Seniors had other ideas though with Matt James pulling a goal back.

There was not enough time for Boca Seniors to snatch an equalizer though as Che Que Bo!!! held on for the 3 points that moved them up into second place in the table. Boca Seniors were currently in 5th but there was time for that to change – they had played the current top two after all.