The Bears won their group with emphatic wins over Grassroots (Hull) and Grimsby Catalonia. 6-0 and 3-0 respectively. The Catalonia game was the first time the two teams had meet.
In the semi final they met up with Enver Reds (Grimsby). Enver Reds having given Bears some tough games, but never having beaten them. Enver went into the semi on the back of shock 6-3 and 6-0 winners over experienced Grimsby Auditorium and Sheffield Stormers. Enver had at this point opened eyes around the venue with high quality futsal. Bears took the game by the scruff of the neck from the first moment. Form in the opening games had suggested this was going to be Enver?s day; Bears had other ideas dominating 6-1.
The final had Bears facing the formality of loosing to the superb Helvecia do Brazil; a team that had dispatched Ipswich Wolves (FA semi finalist 2006) in their semi.
Five minutes and 2-0 down the Bears could have been forgiven for lying down against vastly experienced opponents from the prestigious London FPL league. Rolling over was not part of the plan, 2-1 and surprise 2-2. Was there going to be a shock, no way. The Brazilians just stepped on the gas; 4-2. Grit and determination is always useful, you also need skill and ability when faced with the problem facing Bears, if you are to cling on. Cling on they did, 3-4; 4-4. Helvecia moved ahead yet again and had the game won at 5-4 with the Arena clock counting down 20seconds to play. The Bears had a corner, the opposition man marked everyone, excepting Bears keeper Andy Dale who stole free into the area to score with a last kick equaliser.
The rules stated straight to penalties. Mathew Rowston scored first for Bears. Andy Dale continued playing Roy of the Rovers by saving a penalty and then scoring from one!
Lee Romani, James Bristow and Sid Wignall all scored from the spot before Syd was lost in a pile of bodies as the tension of the game exploded into the joy of winning. Luke Molson, Mark Daly and Jason Whitworth played their parts in a great win.
Helvecia do Brazil were magnanimous in defeat.
Results
Grimsby Auditorium 3 Enver Reds (UK based Albanians) 6
Bears 6 Hull Grassroots 0
Sheffield Stormers 1 Enver Reds 6
Grimsby Catalonia 0 Bears 3
Sheffield Stormers 5 Grimsby Auditorium 1
Grimsby Catalonia 2 Hull Grassroots 5
York University 6 FSRC 6
Perth (Scotland) 3 StreetSoccer 0
Helvecia do Brazil 11 York University 0
Ipswich Wanderers 8 StreeSoccer 0
Helvecia do Brazil 2 FSRC 2
Perth 2 Ipswich Wanderers 2
Semi Finals
Grimsby Bears 6 Enver Reds 0
Helvecia do Brazil 2 Ipswich Wanderers 2 (Helvecia do Brazil won on penalties)
Final
Grimsby Bears 5 Helvecia do Brazil 5 (Grimsby Bears won on penalties)
Hull futsal open 2006
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