The
second Veterans Cup Semi-Final brought us an
all-Polish showdown as Celtic Eagles faced Team
Polonia Limerick — two sides that had lit up
the competition with their flair, teamwork,
and resilience. Celtic Eagles had been nothing
short of sensational in the group phase, topping
Group B with 16 points from a possible 18, scoring
19 goals and conceding just 4. Their reward
was a semi-final against the experienced Team
Polonia Limerick, who had also impressed by
navigating a fiercely competitive Group A, collecting
13 points from 18 with 20 goals scored and only
6 conceded. With both teams boasting strong
defensive records and attacking prowess, this
clash promised to be a high-quality contest.
From
the outset, Celtic Eagles demonstrated why they
had been one of the tournament's standout teams.
They controlled possession with patience and
precision, probing for openings while keeping
a solid defensive shape. It was Manu Lopez who
made the breakthrough — the forward who had
been relatively quiet early in the day now finding
his rhythm at exactly the right time. His well-taken
strike gave the Eagles a deserved 1–0 lead and
put Polonia Limerick on the back foot.
Team
Polonia Limerick worked hard to get back into
the game, with Lech Madajek and Adam Gracz continuing
to pose a threat, but the Eagles' backline,
marshalled superbly by goalkeeper Tomasz Sieradzan,
held firm. As the game wore on, Lopez once again
proved the difference, finding the net for a
second time to double the advantage and all
but seal Celtic Eagles' place in the final.
His two goals brought his personal tally to
five in his last three matches, underlining
his growing influence as the tournament reached
its climax.
When
the final whistle sounded, it was Celtic Eagles
2–0 Team Polonia Limerick, a result that perfectly
reflected the Eagles' balance of attacking sharpness
and defensive discipline. It also marked a fourth
clean sheet in seven games for the outstanding
Sieradzan in goal — a cornerstone of their success.
Team Polonia Limerick bowed out after another
strong campaign, but this was Celtic Eagles'
moment — a place in the Veterans Cup Final well
and truly earned.
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