The Plate Semi-Finals would see one English team come up against three Czech teams to battle it for the chance to lift the 2009 Prague Trophy Plate.

On Pitch A we saw an all Czech encounter between JNJ Global Services and SK Zelenec. JNJ Global Services were much improved since their July Prague Masters performance where they failed to win a game. Based on eurofootballfives.com history you would make them underdogs but they were arguably favourites in this tie against a below par SK Zelenec.

SK Zelenec had 5 brand new players they were trying to bed into their squad and they were yet to really settle. This was unchartered territory for them as they had previously made 3 Cup semi-finals. In theory the Plate should be a doddle although we weren't so sure. One nagging doubt maybe that in those 3 previous semi-finals they had lost all three although on each occasion to the eventual winners including getting knocked out on golden goal.

SK Zelenec were looking to put their semi-final jinx behind them and they started well enough by gaining an early advantage when Michal Novak scored the goal to put them 1-0 ahead. It was a lead they would retain until the half-time break. In the second half 2009 Prague Masters top goalscorer Jiri Jindra scored a decisive second goal for SK Zelenec and their first final awaited them. Vincent Solem bagged his fifth of the tournament but it would not be enough for JNJ Global Services and, sadly for them, their day was over. They can be very proud of their days efforts although captain Gordon MacIntosh was rueing what he described as two ‘soft' goals and on another day the result could have been different.

Rigford Seahawks were the only English team in the Plate competition and were hot favourites to lift the Plate. With the utmost respect to their opposition, the biggest danger for the 2009 Krakow Trophy winners was the potential hangover from the disappointment of not making it through to the Cup competition. This semi-final would be a test of character as well as ability for the Seahawks.

They would meet a DHL Prague Red side who they met in the group stages of the Krakow tournament. On that occasion they made short work of their opponents in a 5-1 win. DHL Prague Red had blown hot and cold today – they were hot with two opening wins followed by two disappointing defeats. They returned to winning ways in their last group game against Harp Chancers and would need that form and a bit more to cause an upset in this semi-final.

You remember that test of character we mentioned a short while ago for the Seahawks? Well, they passed it with flying colours. A closely fought first-half was followed by a pulsating second half that saw the Seahawks storm into the Plate final. Chris Howard scored his first goals of the tournament and was the chief marksman for the Seahawks as he claimed a hat-trick. Ben Kent scored twice and Tom Hallam also found the net. Rob Millan scored for DHL Prague Red in the first half to keep the game close for the opening period but after that there was only one winner.

Commiserations to DHL Prague Red who were carrying injuries (one of those days for DHL Prague if you also consider their Blue teams injury woes) but they will have a chance to put things right in Barcelona next month.