The afternoon knock-out phase of the 2014 Valencia Fives began with the Plate Quarter-Finals. There would be 3 Quarter-Finals as Budapest Celtic Tigers had earned themselves a bye to the Semi-Finals courtesy of their 3rd placed finish in Group C. The three Quarter-Finals on the pitch would be contested by the teams finishing 4th and 5th in each group.

First up was Boca Seniors versus Budapest Celtic Lions on Pitch A. It was our contention that Budapest Celtic Lions would be favourites for this one having finished 4 th compared to Boca's 5th place. The Lions had also won our tournaments before and only lost by 1 goal to the 1st and 2nd teams in Group B and taken a point off 3rd. Boca Seniors had come into the game on the back of a heavy defeat after starting well. This was one tough game for a Plate Quarter-Final and Boca Seniors certainly took to the challenge well.

The lunch break had been good for them and they matched everything the Lions threw at them as Matt James goal for Boca Seniors cancelled out Neil Evans 7th goal of the tournament. At the half-time interval the teams were tied at 1-1.

In the second half Matt James, now with 3 for the tournament, put Boca Seniors 2-1 up. Boca Seniors saw the game out superbly and claimed their first victory of the tournament and now was definitely the right time to find form.

For Budapest Celtic Lions it was double disappointment – not only going out of the tournament but missing the chance to meet their Tigers squad in the Semi-Finals.

The second quarter-final was another close game as Pensat I Fet and Equipo A came head-to-head. Pensat I Fet had drawn a tough group and, like Boca Seniors, were yet to record their first win of the tournament. Equipo A had just picked up their first win at the end of the group phase so would enter the Quarter-Finals with renewed confidence.

Just like in the first Quarter-Final this one would reach half-time at 1-1 with goals from Mohamed Rida Zeonoufi (Equipo A) and Mathieu Roch (Pensat I Fet) both scoring.

Both teams had struggled defensively today but had managed to score goals at the other end. With emphasis on attack in the second half the goals began to flow. There was a hat-trick for Julien Gaillard of Pensat I Fet which ultimately proved the difference between the two teams and earned his side a place in the Semi-Finals. Final score, 5-3.

For Equipo A the tournament was over.

We'd had two cracking Quarter-Finals so far so FC Junction and Saipan FC had a lot to live up to over on Pitch C. FC Junction were unlucky to remain pointless in Group C having come in to the game on the back of two 4-3 defeats – could they prove more clinical in the knock-out phases.

This was traditionally the time of day when Saipan FC come into their own and have reached a Plate/Cup Final in each of the knock-out tournaments they have played in. They warmed up for this one nicely with a 7-0 win at the end of Group A.

Saipan FC continued their form from their previous fixture and brought it into this game. Agus Benedito Galmes in particular was on fire claiming a first half hat-trick that virtually sealed this game. Tom Bird also scored in the first half and Saipan FC were on their way, 4-0.

In the second period the game calmed down but there was still time for Agus Benedito Galmes to score a 4th – a 5th for Saipan FC. The Irish team were on their way to the next round.

It was time to say farewell to FC Junction. We thank them for their attendance at the tournament and look forward to seeing them on tour again soon.