Five-A-Sides

MARCH 2009

Pro Communications deny Don´s Deli a hat trick of titles

FINALISTS PRO COMMUNICATIONS and DON´S DELI

Happy days for Dave Pugh. Fresh from playing a vital part in a Britanico´s team winning the Mivam League 7 days earlier, he then managed his own company team PRO COMMUNICATIONS to victory in the Britanico´s Annual Sala Tournament.

Fun, fun, fun was the order of the day and some had even been to the hairdresser in the morning. Hey Ryan who did your tint !

Some teams were taking part for a second time. Last year the Food Hall, owned and managed by the recent Wine Me, Dine Me TV programme winner Mr Tim Carr were a bit of a soft touch but this year they proved to be a much harder nut to crack. Undefeated in the first group stage they looked an early favourite for the title. Even rumours that their shop was being robbed weren´t getting in their way. The tournament had a number of new teams including the first all girl side, Team Lisa proving that football is for all. And the joy when they scored was clear. Great stuff Lisa but don´t give up the day job.

Jonas Spoolander brought a couple of teams along, Lindorff and System Air. There was Team Africa, Don´s Deli, Lucero captained by the son of Brtianico Legend Gerry Loughlin, Oxford University Press, the Embassy and D.H.L.

After the early sparring in the Group matches, the semi finals saw Pro Communications hit top form when they defeated the Food Hall and in the other semi final Don´s Deli just managed to edge out System Air by the only goal of the game which was the final penalty in a dramatic shootout, Big Joris in the Don´s goals being the hero by saving at least 3 penalties...wow !

The final remained even until early in the second half when Pro Communications suddenly scored 3 goals leaving Don´s Deli with a mountain to climb if they wanted to retain their trophy. They got one back but Ashley, the Communication´s keeper put everything on the line in the last 5 minutes to defend his team´s lead.

Final score PRO COMMUNICATIONS 3 - 1 DON´S DELI

MARCH 2008.

Don’s Deli the Dutch Delicatessen take Nexus trophy for second time.

For the second year in succession the Nexus Sala Tournament held at Colegio Santa Maria del Pilar near the Retiro in central Madrid was won by Don’s Deli. In the final they got the better of a younger but more tired Leeds University organised by Paul Holland who had played with  the Britanicos last year. Leeds had 4 players who played every minute and relied on the services of Ben Hessler one of the regular league goalkeepers in the later stages. Ben is an all rounder, plays in, plays out, sells raffle tickets and has a lovely girl friend Vanessa.

The tournament started at 2p.m. and finished just before 7. It was kicked off by Barrie Jackson, Director of Nexus the Britanicos sponsor who also presented the medals to the winning team Don´s Deli and the cup to their captain Marcel Kaptijn. During the afternoon Barrie sneaked away to watch Man U v Derby , marginally better than 5 hours of Futbol Sala

Mind you early on, the Dutchmen looked anything like winners as they lost their 3 games in the first round stage to Webpac, Team Africa and Eads Casa. If there had been an early train they would have been on it. At this stage the favourites looked like Eads Casa, 7 Star Fitness, Visiting Britanicos, and Cigna. The family team of Team Africa were also scoring goals and surprising most of us. The one team which couldn´t quite get it together were I.B.M. led by Jonas from Denmark accompanied by Conor of Ireland, Jack McKay from England and Howard Rouse from Germany.

First Round Group Winners were Cigna, Eads Casa, Leeds University , and 7 Star Fitness.

Onto the second round groups and a lovely moment which saw Tony Byrne fall to the ground when his Fat Tony´s team defeated Leeds one nil. His Emerald smile lit up the afternoon.

Goals were flying in everywhere and Cigna continued their winning run, only to come to a brief halt when after 4 successive wins they lost to the Embassy 3-0 probably the shock result of the tournament at this stage, but don´t tell Vikas the next time you need to renew your passport.

Second Round Group Winners were The Embassy, Eads Casa, Don´s Deli, and the Ex Britanicos.

There was now, no turning back, no living for another day as the tournament arrived at the knock out stage.

Repsol, winners 2 years ago lost out to Team Africa,Cigna edged out Team America, Dons Deli defeated I.B.M, Fat Tony´s luck ran out when they lost to Webpac, the impressive ex Britanicos won against Nexus, 7 Star Fitness who would have preferred to play under another name lost out to Leeds and in the first penalty shoot out Oxford University Press got the better of the Embassy.

Quarter finals and yet another penalty shoot out victory for the Chris Wiburd inspired Oxford Team. By now Chris had taken up a permanent position between the sticks, finding his true vocation. The semi final line up was completed by Leeds with the smallest squad and dependent on free transfers, Don´s Deli now finding their form at just the right time and Gary Weir´s Cigna. Gary is the epitome of the Corinthian Spirit. A wonderful club player he comes along with his team of journeymen and win, lose or draw he enjoys himself. This year he emerged as tournament Pichichi with 14 goals. If anyone scored more, let me know and we will adjust the records !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were now set for the semi finals with Oxford University Press having won 2 penalty shoot outs (hey Capello might need you soon) taking on Leeds and the final before the final, Cigna and Don´s Deli. Could Oxford take Leeds to penalties, could the Deli keep Gary Weir quiet ?

The Leeds team proved too strong for the courageous Oxford team whose supporters couldn´t quite roar them into the final and in the battle of the goalscorers, Cigna´s Gary v Deli´s Ruben, the Holders of the tournament scored late on, not leaving Cigna enough time to mount another attack.

Both teams seemed surpised to be in the final,Leeds with such a small squad and Don´s having lost their first 3 matches. In the end tiredness affected the Leeds Lads as Don´s were able to make fresh changes and had the giant Joris in goals. Ruben scored a hat trick which helped.

MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO TOOK PART AND TO THOSE WHO REFEREED .

Full list of teams……..Don´s Deli, Leeds University, Oxford University, Cigna, Team America, Team Africa, Ex Britanicos, 7 Star Fitness, Webpac, Eads Casa, Nexus, Fat Tony´s I.B.M The Embassy, Repsol.

SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of the Britanicos also play 5 a side or as it is known in Madrid, futbol sala. As a club we hold our own tournaments, the most popular being an inter company tournament . In 2005 the winners were REPSOL led by Jamie Quin when they defeated LA PAZ hospital captained by Marco Bos.
In 2007 REPSOL again made the final but this time had to be content with being runners up. Winners were DON´S DELI. Other teams taking part included VANCO, 7 STAR FITNESS, FAT TONY´S, SLIPMAT, REPSOL, THE BRITISH EMBASSY, I.B.M. THE FOOD HALL and MULTI ASSISTANCE.

See below for more pictures - cick to enlarge