Huge Weekend of Futsal at Vikings South Island Titles

70 games 26 teams and 2 days of pulsating action marked the staging of the 2007 Vikings South Island titles. Teams from Dunedin, Eastern Southland, Timaru, Christchurch and Australia battled it out across the weekend.

For the first time there was a 12yr girls division with Jnr Stars from Otago taking out the titles. This is the same side that traveled to Australia last Easter and won at the Vikings Pacific Regional Titles, going through undefeated. The girls defeated Christchurch side Red Hot Sochaholics in the final

The 12boys final saw Christchurch team Italian Stalions defeat the Australian Vikings in a high quality match. The Australian Vikings are on tour here in New Zealand and until this tournament had been undefeated.

The 14 yr boys played in the 16 yr division and more than held their ground. In fact both finalist knocked off sides in the 16yr div before meeting each other in the final. The Australian Vikings prevailed in a very close game over Christchurch side Individuals

The closest age division in the tournament was the 16yr div which saw final group positions determined by goals for as all sides had either won or drawn with each other. Linwood defeated Canterbury White in the final in much the same circumstances as what got them to the final, by scoring in the last minute of play to win.

Another very close division was the Womens with all teams very evenly matched throughout. With 2 sides from Dunedin and 4 from Christchurch provincial pride was always going to be on the agenda along with becoming 2007 Champions. In the end the final came down to 2 Christchurch sides, Possums and One Day Rodger Finch (ODRF), with Dunedin side Kamakaze Krew narrowly missing out. The final ended up being a game between the old guard and the youth and it was the youth that won out on the day. Oddly enough the youth (ODRF) have been coached by members of Possums in past tournaments.

The mens competition was broken into 2 divisions after the round robin phase with the top 2 sides in each group going through to the Gold Series and the 3rd and 4th placings going into the silver series. Dunedin side Hardcore Alcamaholics took on Christchurch side the Full Monty in an absorbing final which saw the Full Monty take out the titles. Hardcore Alcamaholics did extremely well to get to the final after their goalkeeper and field player collided whilst trying to clear a ball which left one with a badly broken nose and the other with what looked like a chunk bitten out of his leg.

The Mens gold final had an interesting angled to it, both sides had been to China in the past 7 months as part of Vikings NZ sides. PHSCCB as a 16yrs side and Dengy Fever as part of the Vikings Mens side. PHSCCB caused the biggest upset of the tournament when they defeated Melbourne Boys who were the U/19 Vikings side that finished runners up at the Vikings National School titles in Melbourne in October. This victory kept them away from a semi final showdown with Denghy fever and they progressed to the Final with a solid win over Snr RB's. Denghy Fever on the other hand had to deal with a hurting Melbourne Boys side and looked to be heading for an early exit being
3-1 down with just 4 minutes to play. They clawed back and eventually drew with Melbourne Boys 3 all and progessing to the final by virtue of finishing higher in group play.

The final was a classic display of high skill and tactical Futsal. Both sides have high respect for each other and the match reflected this. Denghy Fever took out the final by 2-1 with Brendon Snelling scoring the winner early in the second half.


Final Results:

12 Girls
Jnr Stars 6 d 0 Red Hot Sochaholics

12boys
Italian stalions 7 d 3 Vikings Australia

14 boys
Australian Vikings 3 d 0 Individuals

16 boys
Linwood 3 d 2 Canterbury White

Women
ODRF 3 d 2 Possums

Men Silver
Full Monty 2 d 0 Hardcore Alcamaholics

Men Gold
Denghy Fever 2 d 1 PHSCCB





Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com