The 2014 Valencia Fives Plate Final was to be contested by two teams who had grown into this tournament. Today would see both Budapest Celtic Tigers and Saipan FC pick up medals but who would take the winners medals and the coveted Plate trophy?

With six games down and one to go the teams would need to summon up one last effort to collect those winners medals. The teams were no strangers to European Finals with us:

Saipan FC had been in 3 finals before and were yet to emerge with winners medals. The Irish team had proven to be ruthless in Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals with a 100% record but taking that final step had so far eluded them. Today represented a great chance to take that final step as they came into the game in sensational form. They had won their previous 3 games scoring 19 goals in the process and conceding just one.

For Budapest Celtic this was their fourth eurofootballfives.com Final but first in the Plate competition. The Tigers reached the Budapest Fives Cup Finals losing 2-0 on penalties to 4-times winners Olympic Phil Babb (after a 0-0 draw) in 2011 and lost 5-1 ABC United of Romania in 2012. In 2013 they took the 2013 Krakow Trophy with a 2-1 win over The A Team of France.

These two teams also had history. Saipan FC met Budapest Celtic three times in the 2012 Barcelona Fives. In the group phase they lost 5-0 to the Pumas, in the Cup Quarter Final they defeated the Tigers 6-0 and in the Cup Semi Final drew 1-1 before knocking the Lions out 2-1 on penalties. A hat-trick of wins against Celtic would see them claim their first honours today.

After the early exchanges it was Saipan FC who continued their momentum as Beat Schiffhauer and Julian Cornelius both scored in the first-half. If Budapest Celtic Tigers could claw one back maybe the seeds of doubt would creep into Saipan FC so the next goal would be vital. When it came it was captain Barry Lysaght who made it 3-0. Paul Kamondy's 4 th strike of the day was too little too late for them as he made it 3-1.

All that was left was for Barry Lysaght to crown off a fine performance from Saipan FC to seal the victory, 4-1. Their Final hoodoo was over and it was a sincere pleasure to see them with a trophy in the presentation.

Take nothing away from Budapest Celtic Tigers though who had performed well following the rigours of a Friday night on a stag weekend. As always the Celtic teams proved great value with their appearance. It was our pleasure to host you both and we look forward to seeing you again next time.