The eurofootballfives.com early Summer Veterans Tournament is a moveable feast. Following the veritable delights of Alicante 2019, Lisbon 2013, 2016 & 2022, Mallorca 2014, 2017, 2023-2024, the Algarve in 2015 & 2018 and Prague (2024) we move to a new city and a fantastic new venue – Porto.

Previous winners of our early Summer Veterans Tournament:

2013 Lisbon: Sao Marcos (Por)

2014 Mallorca: Palmesanos (Spa)

2015 Algarve: Mini FC (Por)

2016 Lisbon: Sago (Por)

2017 Mallorca: FC Mahou (Eng)

2018 Algarve: Mini FC (Por)

2019 Alicante: Esparta (Spa)

2022 Lisbon: FC Mahou (Eng)

2023 Mallorca: Duktil Balear (Spa)

2024 Mallorca: Aston Birra (Ecu)

2024 Prague: FC Poloboc (Mda)

2025: ?????

The opening match of the 2025 Porto Veterans Tournament featured two teams who knew each other well from playing in Prague 12 months ago. It was Mitre FC Vets B v FC Tpaktop A with the two sides meeting on 3 occasions in Prague – Mitre Vets lost the first 3-0 to the A team but then drew 3-3 with the B team before beating the A team 2-1 to lift the Plate title in Czechia.

There was nothing to separate the two teams in the first half here as the teams changed ends level at 0-0. In the second half the goals flowed and it was FC Tpaktop A who scored the lion's share of them. Peter Tochmanov, Artiom Vlasov and Alekandru Tabunsic were all on target for the CIS team. Although Mitre FC Vets B slipped to defeat they did open their account with Ryan Cowell on target.

In Game 2 of Group A at the 2024 Porto Veterans Tournament we had Missing Magpies versus FC Dad.

Missing Magpies made their first appearance with us all the way back in 2012 at the Amsterdam Fives. It was an impressive debut as they finished 2nd in their 6-team group and were only beaten to the title by (now) 3-times eurofootballfives.com winners, Athletico Do Hollande. They went on to the Cup Semi-Finals and missed out on a debut final after defeat to El A Dees. Since then they have travelled to our events in Barcelona (2014), Berlin (2015), Budapest (2017) and Lisbon (2019). Today's event saw the guys step up to the Veterans category for the first time. They would open their campaign against an FC Dad who had similar longevity in our events and took the jump to Veterans 3 years ago, also in Portugal, in Lisbon.

As with the opening game on Pitch C, it was an even first half with the two teams proving well matched. Defences were on top and we reached the break all square at 0-0. The deadlock was broken in the second half and it was Missing Magpies who forged ahead through Steve Doogan. Michael Pyper extended that lead to 2-0 and secured all 3 points for his team.

Missing Magpies were taking to Veterans competition like a magpie duck to water.

The final team in Group A to get their campaign underway was FC Poloboc. On paper they were the big hitters in Group A as they took to the field with a big reputation. Just under a year ago they were surging to victory in Prague with 7 wins in 8 games whilst scoring 30 goals along the way and conceding just 6. In amongst their successful journey to the title they met FC Tpakptop B – the result was a narrow victory, 2-1, to FC Poloboc. Their first opponents in Portugal would be the FC Tpaktop A team.

FC Tpaktop A had already warmed up for the game with a 3-1 win over Mitre FC Vets B. They would not catch their opposition cold though as FC Poloboc were soon into their stride. There was not a lot between the two sides it has to be said. A goal in each half for Grigore Badea and Gheorghe Bulatel put them in control going forward. At the back there was a clean sheet for Iulian Stratulat and his defence. The match finished 2-0 and the FC Poloboc juggernaut was off and running.

Game 4 of Group A saw Mitre FC Vets B take on Missing Magpies, with both teams coming into the match off contrasting starts to their tournament campaigns. Mitre FC Vets B were looking to bounce back from an opening defeat, while Missing Magpies aimed to build on their winning start and go top of the group table.

It was the Magpies who took control early and never looked back. Michael Pyper opened the scoring, setting the tone for what would be a dominant performance. Steve Doogan added a second as both men had now scored in consecutive games. Tom Bird added a further goal to give the Magpies a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Pyper grabbing his second of the match to make it four. Henry Pescod then took over, scoring twice to round off a clinical display. The match ended 6-0, with Missing Magpies maintaining their perfect start and sending out a strong statement to the rest of the group – 8 goals scored, 0 conceded was quite a return. Mitre FC Vets B, meanwhile, were left searching for their first points of the tournament.

FC Dad had been ever-present at our events since 2011. In all those appearances, just one was at Veterans level - The 2022 Lisbon Tournament. They excelled in the group phase picking up 3 wins and 2 draws to finish top of their 6-team table with 11 points. They scored 9 goals along the way with just 3 conceded. They qualified for the Cup Semi-Finals where they met AFC Shooters 1 and drew 1-1. An epic penalty shoot-out followed with FC Dad triumphing 8-7. They met FC Mahou in the final who had 3 eurofootballfives.com titles to their name. They were on course for a fourth at 2-0 up but FC Dad finished strongly and two late goals ensured a 2-2 draw and a penalty shoot-out. This time they couldn't win on penalties and went down 3-2 but were so close to a maiden Cup victory.

Their second game in today's tournament was arguably one of the toughest in recent times at Veteran's level. FC Poloboc were hunting a third successive title following success in Barcelona (2023) and Prague (2024). The Moldovan side had begun well with a 2-0 win over FC Tpaktop A. They continued that good form here but only the one goal separated the teams at half-time. Victor Zagorneanu was the man to score it as FC Poloboc lead 1-0.

In the second half, FC Poloboc stretched that lead to 2-0 with Vitali Mastac on target. 2-0 became 3-0 with Leonid Cigureanu opening his personal account before Veaceslav Borta put the icing on the cake for 4-0.