We were at the 2025 Porto Veterans Cup Semi-Final stage and from all the teams who began the day we were down to the final 4 – already an achievement for those who were still in the hunt for glory. The first Cup Semi-Final would see FC Poloboc versus FC Mahou. This was a high quality contest that could easily be the final. In fact, this was a repeat of the Cup Final from Prague last year. FC Poloboc won the contest 3-0 on that occasion against an injury-ravaged FC Mahou. The English team had got those bodies back this year so it could well be a closer game.

There was a lot at stake on this game between two highly decorated teams. Both teams were aiming to win their third Veterans' title in our events. Both they and Mini FC (of Portugal) were currently on two titles. If FC Mahou were to win the title they'd become the joint most successful team in our events with CIS Committee on 5 (taking into account their two Open Age titles).

As expected, the match delivered high drama and quality football, but the two decorated sides largely cancelled each other out in a tactical and tight first half. With so much at stake and little to separate them, the deadlock remained at 0-0 going into the break.

The game's defining moment arrived in the second half, and fittingly it came from a moment of leadership. FC Poloboc captain Grigore Badea, already with two goals to his name in the tournament, produced a decisive strike—his third—to break through the FC Mahou defence and put the Moldovan champions in front. Despite FC Mahou's best efforts to rally, the Poloboc backline stood firm and closed out the narrow win.

It finished 1-0 to FC Poloboc, who booked their place in yet another Veterans Cup Final and kept alive their hopes of a third Veterans title. For FC Mahou, it was a case of so close yet again, but they exit the tournament with pride, having contributed to a top-tier encounter worthy of the occasion.

The second Cup Semi-Final in Porto pitted hosts Juventude Desportivo Gaia against FC Tpaktop A in a clash of two in-form sides. The Portuguese had swept through the group stage with a perfect record—four wins from four—and were building momentum at just the right time. FC Tpaktop A had bounced back impressively from their early defeat to FC Poloboc, winning three out of four to return to the Cup Semi-Finals for the first time since their 2021 debut at the Barcelona Fives (Open Age).

From the outset, Juventude carried the confidence of a team unbeaten and brimming with belief. Riccardo Garrido opened the scoring with his first of the day, settling any early nerves and giving the home supporters reason to dream. Then, inevitably, it was that man again—Daniel Videira—who made it 2-0 before the break, taking his tally to a phenomenal 9 goals for the tournament. With a two-goal cushion, Juventude managed the second half maturely, controlling possession and limiting chances for their CIS opponents.

Despite FC Tpaktop A's best efforts to mount a comeback, the Portuguese defence stood firm and saw the game out at 2-0. The final whistle confirmed Juventude Desportivo Gaia's place in their first Veterans Cup Final, where they would face fellow unbeaten side FC Poloboc. It was farewell to FC Tpaktop A for today but they still had interest in the tournament with their B team about to take to the field in the Plate Final.