FROM the time the tournament begun last month, the two sides were heavily favoured to reach the final and the pundits and supporters of the two sides were correct in their judgment that the two sides were the best two of the 32 teams that contested the inaugural hosting of the tournament.

New Era Russians and Hard Knocks easily demolished the rest of the competition to set up tonight’s dream finale as the Unique Entertainment/Banks Premium Beer Futsal Classic comes to an end.
It was the most talked-about tournament ever played in Linden, being graced with hundreds of supporters on a nightly basis, with them being  captivated by the high energy-filled games as the players duel to see who will walk away with the $500 000 first prize.
The Russians, who play under the New Era Entertainment umbrella, will look to their captain Travis Watterton who has not failed them so far in the competition, while their goalkeeper Odell Allicock has been a ‘brick wall’ for his side.
Travis Grant and Dingo Green, along with Dwayne ‘Uncle’ Charles, are the other key players for the opposing New Era Russians.
But the most talked-about team in the tournament, Hard Knocks, will be the Russians’ hardest opponents ever faced. Led by skilful John Waldron, Hard Knocks have devoured their opponents in dramatic fashion on course to the final.
The hard-hitting Randy Small, along with the crafty Alister Johnson, can cause some trouble for Allicock, providing that they can penetrate the defence of the Russians.
It’s a close call for anyone who would want to put a wager on his/her favourite but one thing for certain, the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court will be rocking tonight, leaving one to wonder if it would have enough space to hold the crowd anticipated for the great showdown.
Meanwhile, the third-place playoff between Silver Bullets (lost to New Era Russians) and Top Class will serve as a perfect appetiser to the epic anticipated final.
While second place will go home with $300 000, third-place finishers are set to be rewarded with the $150 000 cash prize.
Banks DIH under its premium beer brand, will also be doing its nightly give-a-ways and for tonight’s final, patrons will be heavily rewarded for the support shown to the tournament so far.