What a Cup Final we had in prospect! CIS Committee were looking to make history by becoming just the second team to win 4 eurofootballfives.com titles and go level with Olympic Phil Babb. In their way stood Lilchicago who were looking for their maiden title in their second tournament with us.

The stats in the tournament so far gave CIS Committee the edge. CIS Committee had 6 wins from 6 today. Lilchicago had 4 wins, 1 draw and a defeat but the records would count for nothing once the game kicked-off. The only thing that mattered was what was going to happen on the pitch from now until the full-time whistle.

What we saw in the first half was two very evenly matched teams with not much to choose between them. There was little in the way of chances. CIS Committee probably had the best of it in terms of opportunities in front of goal with a header just over and a free-kick flashed wide. We were 0-0 at half time which was a fair reflection of the play.

The second half continued in much the same way with the two teams cancelling each other out. The teams were largely restricted to long shots. The best opportunity for CIS came to Aliaksandr Viazhevich who made a clever turn in the box. He shot whilst on the turn but Justinas Stonys made the save. At the other end Aliaksandr Viazhevich made a last ditch tackle to deny Danas Kulisauskas. Danas Kulisauskas was then denied in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper as Dzmitry Soupel was out quickly to deny space and make the block. The game finished 0-0 and we would need penalties to decide the winner.

This would be CIS Committee's third penalty shoot-out in eurofootballfives.com action. They won the first – an epic 6-5 win in the 2014 Budapest Fives Cup Final. They lost the second in the 2016 Budapest Fives Cup Semi Final to Budapest Celtic Greens. Lilchicago were also in their third shoot-out and third of the year. They lost the first at the 2017 Mallorca Tournament Quarter-Final (3-2 to Finn's Chins) but won at the same stage in this tournament (2-1 v Burritos).

It would be CIS Committee to kick us off here….

Vladimir Ciganok would take the first penalty. He had 6 goals to his name today and he found the net again as he went to the bottom left corner. The goalkeeper went the right way but he couldn't get down quick enough and dived over the ball. Danas Kaulisauskas was first up for Lilchicago and he powered it to the left, the goalkeeper stuck out a hand but to no avail, 1-1.

Aliaksandr Viazhevich was up next for CIS. With 5 goals in the tournament the Belarus team was putting their big hitters up front. However, he completely scuffed the penalty and dragged it wide left. There was an opportunity for Vaidas Garsvinkas to put Lilchicago in control. At the end of his long run up he shimmied, Dzmitry Soupel in goal for CIS also shimmied. As Garsvinskas placed it the right, Soupel went the right way. The ball was not far enough in the corner and Soupel stuck out his left boot to make the save. It remained 1-1 .

Pavel Tumash was the next man to walk forward to the penalty spot. He went for the top left corner but Justinas Stonys made a superb save and Lilchicago were potentially one kick away from glory. The man with the honour was Sarunas Krasauskas but his left foot effort crashed back off the bar. Agony for Lilchicago – still 1-1 .

We were now into sudden death with Aliaksandr Chaikouski up next for CIS. His effort was high and handsome as it soared over the top. Lilchicago had a second time to win it. Lukas Melaika was the man to take it – he missed in the Quarter-Final and was to do so again. He hit the target but Soupel was up to the job and made the save. Still, 1-1 .

Dzmitry Soupel must have been fed up saving penalties to see his team-mates miss so he stepped forward to take the next spot-kick himself. He went to the right and beat Stonys's dive to make it 2-1. Was this the winner? Martynas Vyzintas needed to score to keep the Lithuanian team's hopes alive. He made no mistake with a power penalty to the left. 2-2.

The next man up for CIS was their #33 who slightly scuffed his penalty to the left. It was on target but as the pace had come off the ball it allowed Stonys time to make the save. The door was open for Lilchicago again – a third chance to win it. They won their Quarter-Final at the third time of asking. Could they do it in the Cup Final? Justin Stonys would become the second goalkeeper to take a penalty in the shoot-out. He would miss the target to the left and we stayed at 2-2 .

The teams would now start repeating the penalty takers. Vladimir Ciganok stepped forward again and he scored again to make it 3-2. Danas Kulisauskas also proved successful again as he went to the bottom left corner to equalize for 3-3 .

Aliaksandr Viazhevich made amends for his previous miss by placing his strike into the bottom left corner. Penalties were suddenly looking easier again as CIS moved 4-3 ahead. Martynas Vyzintas had to score to keep the shoot-out going and he did it in emphatic style. He powered his penalty into the roof of the net. His heart must have been in his mouth though as it looked like it might be going over but it thundered under the cross bar. 4-4.

Pavel Tumash was looking to make amends for his earlier miss and he went to the goalkeeper's right and saw the net bulge. It was now 5 successful penalties in a row and CIS lead 5-4. Vaidas Garsvinskas, notable for the long run-up was the man for Lilchicago. He went for the top left but Dzmitry Soupel was to become the hero. He leapt to his right to make the save and won the tournament for CIS Committee. 5-4.

We offer our commiserations to Lilchicago – they could not have come much closer to winning the title. If their third penalty had been a few centimetres lower it would be they who would be celebrating. It was not to be though but they showed they certainly have what it takes to win one of our titles. Rumours at the post-tournament social suggested Amsterdam 2018 may be their next crack at glory.

We offer our congratulations to CIS Committee though – 2017 Vilnius Tournament Champions! It was their fourth victory and they go level with Olympic Phil Babb as the most successful team in eurofootballfives.com history. They have now won titles in Budapest, Bratislava, Prague and Vilnius. It is an amazing achievement!

We'd like to thank everyone who participated for making it such a great day. The scenes at the presentation and the attendance at the post-tournament social are testimony to what a great day and what a great atmosphere we had. The spirit between the teams was exceptions. We hope to see you all again at a tournament very soon.