Cambridge Floorball Club get the better of London Great White Sharks to secure place at EuroFloorball Challenge

Cambridge Floorball Club were crowned national champions for the second time in their history at the weekend courtesy of a finals victory over London Great White Sharks, writes Darren Paul.

Cambridge won their semi-final thanks after a penalty shoot-out against United Cities of the Midlands (UCM). Tied 3-3 after overtime, goaltender Aaron Blowers was the hero in the shoot-out, forcing four misses from the UCM shooters.

Reigning league and play-off champions London Great White Sharks entered the weekend unbeaten in two seasons, and they beat Bristol in a 6-4 in the last four.

Cambridge got off to a hot start in the final with goals from Elvijs Sarkans and Dutch international Jasper Sangen before the Sharks tied the game shortly into the second period. The two sides traded goals in the second period, with Sangen grabbing his second with a powerful drive from the left wing.

Early in the final period Cambridge captain Linus Forsberg brought the ball out of his zone, turned his defender and fired a snap-shot into the Sharks goal from a tight angle to make it 4-3 before player-coach Dimi Kessler picked up an errant pass and scored to regain Cambridge’s two-goal cushion.

London were able to pull a goal back, but Cambridge weathered immense pressure from the Sharks, who pulled their goalie for an extra outfielder. In the final minute Kessler and Forsberg scored empty net goals to clinch the title with a 7-4 victory.

Cambridge’s win has seen them qualify for the EuroFloorball Challenge in France this summer.