Having lost the previous two ELF Cup finals, the London team were determined to go one step further in Portugal and lift the ELF Cup for the first time. However, the omens were not good for London as they were drawn in their opening group game against a strong Budapest team who had beaten London in the 2003 ELF Cup final and in the knock-out stages of the 2004 Mundiavocat. As in their previous two encounters at major tournaments, the game lived up to its billing as two of the tournaments better teams fought out a thrilling encounter which London went on to win 2 -1. A couple of easier games followed for London against Antwerp and Brussels as they qualified for the semi-finals with the best record of all the teams.
The semi-final against Lisbon was a heart stopping affair which for much of the game London dominated. London took the lead, but could not hold on to their advantage, and the game was destined for the lottery of a penalty shoot-out. However, the perennial English disease of failing in a penalty shoot-out was not to haunt the London players this time as they went on to win the shoot-out and qualify for their third successive ELF Cup final.
London dominated the final against a talented Livorno side and took the lead early in the game. Despite hitting the post three times and creating a number of other chances, London could not get a second. However, in the end one goal proved enough and the final whistle saw the champagne corks flying as London recorded their first triumph in a major tournament.
LLFC’s full results at ELF Cup 2007
Group Stage
|
London 2 v 1 Budapest |
|
London 6 v 0 Antwerp |
|
London 5 v 0 Brussels |
Semi-Final
|
London 1 v 1 Lisbon (London win 4 – 3 on penalties) |
Final
|
London 1 v 0 Livorno |
Final Position – CHAMPIONS
