On the fourth attempt, the Quantum Global Solutions (Quantum) international football squad were finally crowned Spanish Business Council (SBC) ‘Torneo’ champions! After coming through the qualifying week with three wins from three games, Quantum entered the ‘finals’ week full of confidence and expectation that this was to be their day.
With the Barcelona and Spain legend ‘Xavi’ in attendance, the Quantum players were keen to impress the former World Cup and Champions League winner.
In the opening game, Quantum faced Spanish contractor ‘Collosa’. It took Quantum some time to get into their stride and there was real worry that their night could be over before it had even started as Collosa took the lead and the score at half-time was 1-0 to the Spaniards. However, Quantum equalised early in the second half and quickly added a few more with Kennedy and Kelly on the score sheet, Kelly’s the pick of the bunch with a volley to make it 4-1 with the last kick of the game. A comfortable second half for the boys in black and gold.
Next up for Quantum was the semi-final against a strong looking Thyssen side that had also dispatched of their quarter-final opponents with ease. Quantum was on fire and raced into a 6-2 lead with Kennedy, Kelly and Rudra among the goal scorers. Unbelievably, with only five minutes remaining and the score at 6-2, various substitutions in the Quantum team caused havoc and somehow Thyssen managed to score four goals in quick succession to level the scores at 6-6!!
At this stage, Quantum were sure they had blown their chance, but with the game going to penalties, Kelly, Doherty and Kennedy remained cool under pressure to score their penalty kicks and send Quantum into the final.
Waiting in the final were tournament favourites Schindler. The game was extremely tight with little between the sides, Schindler taking one of the few chances in the first half to lead 1-0 at the break. Following half time, Dillon found Kelly, who cushioned a volley into the path of Kennedy who finished to level things in the final at 1-1. Both teams had excellent opportunities to win it in regular time but these were spurned and the dreaded penalties would settle things again.
Quantum stuck with the same three penalty takers from the semi-final with the same outcome, three goals! However, this time their opponents also scored all three so the game went to sudden death. Dillon took Quantum’s fourth and scored with ease. That set the scene for Quantum goalkeeper Matt Schofield to achieve hero status with a great save to clinch the trophy for Quantum, 4-3 on penalties.
Every Quantum team member played their part, Powell, McIntyre and Lynch resolute in defence with Rudra and Rai excellent when called upon from the bench. There was even time for a ‘cameo’ appearance from Quantum legend Ali Abbadi!
Quantum looks forward to the next ‘torneo’ in late 2016 when they will get the chance to defend their trophy! Huge thanks to the Spanish Business Council for organising another fantastic event.