Group B was shaping up very nicely with all teams pretty evenly matched – just 3 points separated top from bottom. Dragon Balls had been consistent so far, strong in defence but in need of goals. They had 2 points after two 0-0 draws. Spider Mans & Eagle opened up with a defeat, followed it with a draw and were now looking to pick up that first victory.

These two teams had not met before in our tournaments but Kuba Dabrowski had played for Alea Iacta Est when they played Spider Mans & Eagle – he was on the winning side, 3-2.

It probably doesn't come as much surprise that Dragon Balls played out another goalless draw in the opening period – five successive halves. We were to get goals in the second period though. Richard Eggleston scored for the second game running to put Spider Mans & Eagle ahead. For the second game in a row though Spider Mans were unable to maintain that lead until the final whistle. Filip Dabrowski was the man with Dragon Ball's first goal of the day. It was enough to earn them a point – their third draw of the day.

FC Maroon were the final team to play their third fixture. With 4 points from 6 so far they were looking good and currently sat in second position. They had the chance to go top with a win.

Spider Mans & Eagle were set to play their final group fixture and so this was their last opportunity to increase their points haul and stake their claim for Cup/Plate qualification. They were currently in fourth position but a win here would put them in second place albeit with other teams having a game in hand. A draw/defeat could see them finish anywhere between third and fifth subject to other results.

Surprisingly, given the combined 22 appearances of Spider Mans & Eagle and the FC Dad/Maroon/Shark camp these teams had only been on the same tournament once. That was in Gdansk in 2018 when Spider Mans & Eagle met FC Dad in the opening game of Group D. Spider Mans won it 2-1. Could FC Maroon gain revenge?

As with so many games in Group B the teams changed ends with the scores level at 0-0. The second halves often produced goals and this game was no different. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and that man was Steve Wildman of Spider Mans & Eagle. He crashed the ball in off the post for his second of the tournament to give his team all 3 points. Credit to Joe McNamara for a clean sheet at the other end.

Spider Mans & Eagle had won and now done all they could – would it be enough?

FC Maroon still had a game to push their claim for the knockout phase.

8 games completed, 2 to go. We would soon have our Group B winners confirmed but it would depend on the results of games 9 and 10. FC Foreigntina were our current league leaders on 6 points but their opponents in this final game, Dragon Balls, could join them at the top with a win. Dragon Balls were unbeaten so far today but 3 draws had stalled their ascent up the table.

FC Foreigntina knew that a win would not only give them Cup qualification but assure them of the Group B title so they had quite the incentive. They set about their task with aplomb and it was Joao Puga who put them ahead. He scored 7 goals and was joint 7th top scorer in the 24-team Gdansk Tournament of 2018. This was his third strike of the day. He was to grab another to put his team in control at half-time, 2-0.

After the break Joao Puga went on to complete his second hat-trick in our tournaments as he made it 3-0. FC Foreigntina had powered their way through to the next round.

It was a disappointing way for Dragon Balls to finish the group but they still had a chance to make the Plate, they would just need to see what happened in the next fixture.

We went into Game 10 of Group B with Red Cow Belgrade due to host FC Maroon Let's have a look at what was at stake:

FC Maroon: A draw or win for FC Maroon would see them finish second in the table and qualify for the Cup. A defeat could see them slip from second to third on goal difference if they lost by 1 goal or 2 in a high-scoring contest or even fourth with a defeat of 2 in a low-scoring contest or 3+ goals.

Red Cow Belgrade: A win would see them move onto 5 points and qualify for the Cup competition in second. A draw would see them move level with Dragon Balls and up into 4 th place to qualify for the Cup. A defeat would see them finish in fifth position and qualify for the Wooden Spoon. The margins were small but the consequences massive!

It was Red Cow Belgrade who drew first blood as they went ahead through Tom Goyski's second goal in as many games – the “live” league table was looking good for them but it would not last for long. Luke Burnett struck for FC Maroon to put the teams level at half-time.

The next goal in this game was going to be crucial. When it came it arrived from Rohan Hope – making his tour debut with FC Maroon – and what a way to cement his place in FC Maroon folklore as he struck the winner. It was a goal that would secure Cup qualification and a goal that would kill off Red Cow Belgrade's chances today.

A fantastic climax to the group phase. Well done to both teams.