by Henry Daw

Disappointment would strike a couple of months prior to the tournament when it emerged that we had not registered in time.  No tournament, no final glory before FLFC is likely to lose one of it's founder members.   However, by a twist of fate, one team pulled out of the tournament, leaving a slot free for FLFC to join.  We had made it into the tournament by a stroke of luck, & with this we began to believe that this was finally to be FLFC's year.  One over-enthusiastic team member even enthused that "this was our destiny, our time had come!"  

As often seems to be the case with FLFC, we started slowly in the tournament.  Coming back from 1-2 down to win 3-2 against FC Pomo, & following it up with an incredible comeback against a young AS Fortune team.  Fortune quickly established a 0-2 lead, with FLFC in disarray, each of us wondering how we can be overrun by a team who all seemed to be at least half our age.  We re-grouped & showed true grit in turning the game around.  We absorbed the relentless pressure that Fortune were putting us under, & pulled it back to 2-2.  It looked as though we had escaped with a draw, but more drama was to follow as a late late strike from Florin, after a clever pass from Bogdan Neagu, crept its way into the corner.  With our second victory the day's work was done.  We had won the group, & we would now have a seemingly straightforward first knockout game against all-girl team EXQUISA the next morning. 

After we shook off the excesses of the previous night's entertainment, we prepared ourselves for the crucial knockout games.  We brushed aside EXQUISA, winning 8-1, before coming up against a tough & experienced outfit in Ukkoset.  Ukkoset had looked decent in the previous games, though they were no match for FLFC, winning by a convincing 5-1 scoreline.  We were starting to really come together as a team, gaining confidence that we could go all the way.  We first had to overcome another of our arch-rivals in the semi-final, Team 9.  We put together a great team performance, not giving Team 9 any space to play their normal flowing game.  Early goals by Henry & Vik put FLFC in a dominant position, only for Team 9 to hit back for 2-1.  Almost immediately FLFC regained a 2-goal lead with a Vrajen strike.  A second goal for Bogdan Barliga put the gloss on a 4-1 scoreline.  We were going to the final, & for the first time it wouldn't be against Team Oiva.  Instead, it would be their second team, Team Loiva, who seemed to be just as tough as the first team, especially considering they actually beat Oiva on route to the final.  Backed by strong vocal support, Loiva started well, but chances came our way, & it was Bogdan Neagu who finally prodded us in front from an acute angle.  Back came Loiva, continuously pelting Vlad's goal with high balls, in the hope that one of their big forwards would get the touch needed.  We weren't to be outdone, & Bogdan Barliga put us into a 2-0 lead.  The victory was on, just 5 minutes to hold on & we would be champions.  Just as it looked as though Team Loiva's collective efforts would be fruitless, they gave themselves a lifeline, & at the same time put everyone on edge.  Only 3 minutes to go & the score was now 2-1.  Could we hold on...?  At last the whistle blew, we had done it! After 8 attempts, the monkey was now off our backs!!  Kai ignored the pain from his ankle injury, & ran down to join us in the middle, dancing around like lunatics, rejoicing in our long-overdue victory.

So to all those who there to experience Ikaalinen 2008, including our lucky charm, Ada, thanks for an amazing weekend.  Of course, not forgetting all those who missed out this time but have given it their all in past tournaments.  This victory was for all FLFC members past & present! Cheers everyone!