Once more did the Lions clench the Shanghai Premier League Champion title. But not after fending off a fierce challenge by their main rival and contender Flamenkos!

What a game, what suspense, what excitement!
This is SPL at its best...

Both teams were very early at the pitch.
But then again, the stakes were high.
If the lions won the game they won the championship. If Flamenkos won, they would move in first place...

As early as 45' before the game the 2 full squads were present for warm up.

Some last tactical instructions and we were set to go! Brace yourselves for the ride!

Right from the start, Flamenkos had all intention to give their coach Bart the nicest of birthday presents and thus:

6' Joshue scores 0-1 for Flamenkos! Wake up Lions!

But seems they didn't. Flamenkos had the upper hand for a long while.

12' another attack by Flamenkos, but a miss.

Still the Lions were struggling and while they had a few chances, the Flamenkos still had the best...

34' Joost has an open chance, but his shot went 2m wide...

43' Lions finally seemed to have found second gear and their header misses by near inches

46' half time and first half was definitely Flamenkos all the way. They lead 0-1 and are now virtual SPL leader.

Freek seems to have given a very arousing talk during half time, for the Lions came back on in 3rd gear!

48' during a scrimmage after a corner, Lions score the equalizer 1-1
see the video below:

This equalizer seems to have unnerved Flamenkos. For the next few minutes they played like loose sand.
Yet, Jose manages to get the team together again.

56' a near miss by Flamenkos after yet another corner...

58' on a far pass by Flamenkos defense, the Lions goalie makes a sortie. But he passes the ball in the feet of Flamenkos player. He kicks passed the goalie, but... also misses the goal.

The game ebbs back and forth and both teams hold their own.

73' Lions score 2-1! Flamenkos now must score once to stay in the title race and twice to take the lead. Can they do it?

76' On a corner scrimmage, Angel gets the ball but from close range he hits the side of the net. The Flamenkos strikers seem jinxed!

80' Lions score 3-1 on a counter. Game played?

After this ill stroke of luck, the flamenkos famous F-side had to be kept in a safe part of the stadium...

But the Flamenkos were not deterred.
They needed 3 more goals, but were determined to give their coach a nice birthday...

84' the Flamenkos score 3-2 and hope comes back!

89' one more try by flamenkos, a nice pass through the defense, no offside, the Lion goalie is lobbed, but the try misses target... again just not!

91' and another try and miss... how many more?

94' a deadly counter by the Lions and 4-2, game over...

95' end of the game.

The Lions celebrate their well deserved title with champagne and gladly accept the congratulations by a disappointed Flamenkos.

But the latter do look forward to their next fixture when they face the lions in the cup game!
Will they be dancing too much and not scoring enough again that time?
Or will they transform into deadly matadores and kill the beast with a few well aimed blows?

Come and see at SPL!
The most exciting game of football in Shanghai!