A rookie panellist sides with an experienced squad – and lives to brag about it.

“They may be older than the (other teams) in the league but they used that to their advantage” explains therapist Ken Obregon, who insists simple skill alone would not have led him to pick winning side Argentine – offensively explosive as they were during their undefeated regular season.

The squad’s eventual 7-3 championship win over FC Overweight came as news to both Andrea and I. While her Boiseries Elegance bowed out in the semis, Italtech never even made it past the opening round. FC Overweight wasn’t even part of the discussion.

It now remains to be seen whether heavy favourites Penne Arrabiate will vindicate the rest of the playoff panel – or whether my Cassi Design will become the team that lost to eventual champs FC Lebanon.