WHAT started with 32 teams now has boiled down to the top two: Sparta Boss and debutants Channel 9 Warriors, who will contest the finals of the Georgetown Zone, Guinness Greatest of the Streets football tournament on Saturday at the National Park.The two teams booked their spot in the final after an entertaining semi-final at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac on Tuesday.

In the first semi-final, Channel 9 Warriors got past former champions Back Circle 2 – 0 on penalty, after the two teams ended regulation and extra time at 1 – 1.

The much hyped Sparta Boss got the better of North Ruimveldt 3 – 2 (in extra time) in a game that will go down as one of the best of the tournament.

Thousands gathered to witness an evening of pulsating ‘street ball’, with the battle between the four teams too intense to even blink.

The screams, the cheers and the chants of their teams’ names, marked the begging of the Back Circle/Channel 9 Warriors game and the players didn’t disappoint.

Though being a new team to the tournament, Channel 9 Warriors featured some seasoned ‘ballers’ led by Delon Williams.

Kemo Lawrence’s goal in the 10th minute sparked wild celebrations as the newcomers took a 1 – 0 advantage over the more seasoned Back Circle.

However, Andy Duke reminded everyone why Back Circle is one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history when he clinically fired home the equaliser in the 25th minute.

Several near-chances by both sides but scores remained levelled forced the game into penalties.

In the second encounter, the highly rated Sparta Boss, was led to victory by their two biggest players – Devon Millington and Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson.

Despite having a star-studded team, Sparta Boss is not one of the tournament’s favourites. Joshua Brown sent fans rushing onto the playing area when he scored in the 12th minute for North Ruimveldt.

North Ruimveldt’s celebration was short-lived since Richardson scored a few seconds later for Sparta Boss.

In the second half, Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant had countless opportunities to put the Sparta Boss unit away and put North Ruimveldt in game control but the dapper player never made good of his chances.

King Solomon Austin then scored in the 30th minute for North Ruimveldt, but again, Richardson rescued Sparta Boss a minute later to equalise.

It was in the first half of extra time (41st minute) where Millington scored the winning goal for Sparta Boss to send them through to the final where they will compete for the tournament’s $500,000 first place prize.

The team finishing second will receive $200,000, third place $150, 000 and fourth place $100 000.