Real L'Bourne (Eng)

4

V

0

Pensat I Fet (Spa)

Naranjitos (Spa)

4

V

2

HMNB Portsmouth (Eng)

Budapest Celtic Lions (Hun)

5

V

3

Pensat I Fet (Spa)

Real L'Bourne (Eng)

0

V

3

HMNB Portsmouth (Eng)

Naranjitos (Spa)

2

V

2

Budapest Celtic Lions (Hun)

 

In Game 6 we had Real L'Bourne lining up against Pensat I Fet. Both teams came into the game with a 100% record – a winning one for Real L'Bourne, a losing one for Pensat I Fet. The English team went into the game as firm favourites and we soon saw why.

Dan Hart scored an early first half goal before Jake Smith and Brad Wood established a 3-0 lead. At half-time Real L'Bourne were well on their way to opening up a 3 point gap at the top of the table. Dan Hart's second of the game sealed that as they ran out 4-0 victors.

Pensat I Fet were improving defensively (conceded 10 first game, 7 in the next and 4 here) but games were running out for them .

Real L'Bourne could enjoy the heady feeling of being at the summit of Group A.

 
 
 

Every time Real L'Bourne had opened up a 3 point lead at the top HMNB Portsmouth had quickly wiped out the lead and joined them at the top. They would have the opportunity to do so again next as they met Naranjitos.

Naranjitos had just picked up their first win and with the exception of the first half in the first game had looked good. HMNB Portsmouth had had to work hard for their victory over Budapest Celtic Lions and Naranjitos were hoping to push them again.

In fact they were doing better than pushing them close as at half-time the Spanish team found themselves leading 2-1. Two goals from David Moya Aparicio put them on top with Chris Reeves scoring the HMNB goal. We were to witness a repeat in the second half with Aparicio and Ignacio Salinas scoring for Naranjitos outscoring Daniel Kerr's strike for HMNB Portsmouth. Final score, 4-2.

The result blew the group wide open with Real L'Bourne (9), HMNB Portsmouth (6) and Naranjitos (6) all having a chance to win it going into the last round of games.

 
 
 

Budapest Celtic Lions' third game was against Pensat I Fet who were playing their final Group B fixture. Budapest Celtic Lions had come close with no cigar so far having lost by just the one goal in both fixtures (to the two teams at the top) so this game would represent their best chance of getting some well-earned points.

Pensat I Fet had struggled but results suggested they were improving with the margin of defeat decreasing by the game. In fact, they would leave their best group game to last scoring three goals in the process (Mathieu Roch x 2, Roman Bellyer x1). It wasn't quite enough though as Budapest Celtic Lions lead 3-1 at half-time and went on to win 5-3 at the final whistle.

The Budapest Celtic Lions result came courtesy of goals from Chris Dobson, Neil Evans, Heike Bult (2) and Will Walshe. It put them on 3 points and an outside shot at qualifying for the Cup.

For Pensat I Fet their morning was over but there were signs the afternoon could be better for them. We shall see.

 
 
 

Real L'Bourne went into their final fixture knowing just a point would secure the Group B title. However, if they lost and Naranjitos won they could finish in 3rd and even miss out on the Cup qualification – it would be unlikely 9 points would fail to qualify but you never know. HMNB Portsmouth on the other hand knew they had to win and join their opponents on 9 points. HMNB's goal difference would then most probably win them Group B and see them progess to the Cup.

As you would expect from a top of the table clash there was little in it in the opening period and just one goal would separate the teams. The goal came from the boot of Ross McEvoy – his second of the day – and put HMNB Portsmouth in front.

After the break HMNB Portsmouth eased away from their opponents as Daniel Kerr made it 2-0 and then 3-0. These were his 7th and 8th strikes of the day and he was emerging as a front runner for the Top Goalscorer prize.

The game ended 3-0 and HMNB Portsmouth joined Real L'Bourne on 9 points – could Naranjitos also join them in the final game of Group B?

 
 
 

So, what was at stake going into the final game of Group B? Naranjitos needed a win to make it a 3-way tie at the top of Group B – a 5 goal win would see them take the group title otherwise they would be second. A draw would see them finish 3rd and hoping to be one of the best 3rd place finishers to progress to the Cup. A defeat by less than 4 would achieve the same (although they'd be in a weaker position) and a defeat by more than 4 would see them slip to 4th .

For Budapest Celtic Lions it was a whole lot simpler – win by 4 to finish 3rd and see if that was enough. Anything less and they'd be 4th and going into the Plate competition. At half-time in this one Budapest Celtic Lions were half-way to reaching their goal as they lead 2-0 thanks to Heike Bult and Neil Evans.

It was now or never for Naranjitos – could they respond? David Moya Aparicio reduced arrears to 2-1 with his 8 th of the morning – another contender for the top goalscorer prize. 2-1 became 2-2 when Carlos Cebrian Salinas scored his 4th of the day.

With time running out it looked like Budapest Celtic Lions hopes of a 4-goal victory were over but they could put a spanner in the works for Naranjitos and that's what they did. The game finished 2-2 with the draw not much use for either. The teams finished in 3rd and 4th place and Narnajitos haul of 7 points did prove enough to see them progress to the Cup.

HMNB Portsmouth emerged as Group B winners so well done to them.

 
 
Team
Pld
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Agst
Pts

HMNB Portsmouth (Eng)

4

3

0

1

18

7

9

Real L'Bourne (Eng)

4

3

0

1

11

8

9

Naranjitos (Spa)

4

2

1

1

15

8

7

Budapest Celtic Lions (Hun)

4

1

1

2

12

12

4

Pensat I Fet (Spa)

4

0

0

4

5

26

0

 
 
 
Group Phase
 
 
Plate Knock-out
 
Cup Knock-out
 
 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
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