Building on the 2012 win against the European Club Champions, Chelsea FC, and months of hard training, the Inter UBC Over-50s Football team (including Bowen Islanders John Reid, Teun Shut, John Dumbrille, Ian Radley and Harry Hubball) were on track for another successful competition at the 5th World Club Over 50s Tournament in Barcelona.
After five games on the first day, Inter UBC had won four, scoring an average of three goals per game and was joint top of the group stages with FC Barcelona, England FA and Istanbul. By the end of day two and a further six games against other teams (including a very tense group stage game against FC Barcelona with Teun Shut netting the important equalizer), Inter UBC was second in the league standings among the 12 competing international teams.
On day three, England FA and Istanbul (past champions) were knocked out in the quarter finals, while Inter UBC progressed to beat Birmingham Vets 4-1 in the quarter final and then beat Albion UK 2-0 in the semi finals to advance to the final in front of a big crowd against the prestigious home favourite FC Barcelona.
Unfortunately, Inter UBC conceded an early goal and was pushing to equalize but FC Barcelona held on and delivered a decisive counter-attack which resulted in a stunning second and winning goal.
With competing teams from England, Germany, Turkey, Switzerland, Spain, Wales, Hungary, Ireland, Morocco, USA and Greece, Inter UBC Canada is the most successful team in the history of the five biennial-tournaments (i.e. twice winners, twice runners up to Team Berlin and FC Barcelona, and one third place finish).
The 2013 Over 50s World Club Tournament in Spain was a fantastic experience with terrific camaraderie among the 12 competing teams. Next challenges in store for these Bowen Islanders and the Inter UBC team include competing for the 055s and 060s World Clubs Trophies.
