Cremona's Reggiana beaten in Murcia final

The most prestigious table football team event of the season - the Europe Champions League - was played last weekend in Murcia, Spain.

In all 20 teams coming from different parts of the continent, namely, Portugal, Spain, Italy, England, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Germany and Greece, took part.

Italy again proved to be the top nation in this sport, having four teams in the semi-finals - Perugia, CS Reggiana, Napoli and Milan.

At Murcia, it was a dream come true for Malta's Massimo Cremona who plays for Reggiana. He helped the side reach the final of the Champions League. Cremona was the only non-Italian to figure in the final, being also the first ever Maltese player to compete at this level as well.

In the final, Reggiana, the 2003 champions, lost to Perugia 2-1. Both teams were in the same group in the qualifying stages. In the first match, Reggiana emerged winners by the same 2-1 scoreline. With the last shot of the contest, Cremona could have forced extra-time only for Perugia's Mattiangeli to make a providential save and preserve his team's lead.

Reggiana won their group by winning all four games - Perugia 2-1, Charleroi (Belgium) 2-1, GDDF (Portugal) 2-0 and El Flamers (Spain) 3-0.

In the last 16 they eliminated Germany's Hitdorf 3-0, Falcons Athens (Greece) 2-0 in the last eight stage and Milan 3-0 in the semi-final.

Cremona figured in all the eight games for his team.

"It's hard when you lose a final," he said.

"Everything went according to plan for my team, except in the final. My team-mates are great to play with and I have learnt a lot from them.

"We already have a verbal agreement that next season I will play for them again. I lost the Champions League final with Reggiana and I want to win it with them next year."

Reggiana will now play in the Coppa Italia in Naples between November 25 and 26.