Loughborough Futsal win the 2023-2024 BUCS Championship after a stellar season

Loughborough University Futsal team lifting the championship trophy

Loughborough University Futsal team at the championship final.

The 2023-2024 season has been remarkable for Loughborough University’s Futsal team in the University BUCS competition.

The team achieved a perfect season, winning all their matches, including 10 league games and 3 knockout rounds. This marks the second time the club has accomplished an undefeated season since the creation of the Premier North division.

Loughborough Futsal set a goal to reach the BUCS final after narrowly missing out last year. Their season began with a strong 6-1 victory against the University of Nottingham (UoN), showcasing their determination for the year ahead.

Loughborough University secured victories in their first five games, scoring 29 goals and conceding only 5. Mid-season, they hosted Derby and UoN, winning both matches. They defeated Derby 2-0 and UoN 2-1, with the winning goal scored in the last minute.

Their most challenging away game was against Northumbria, where Loughborough managed to secure a win in the final minutes of the match.

The league title was decided in the final game against Derby. Despite Derby needing to win by 3 goals to overtake Loughborough, the students delivered an outstanding performance, winning 5-3 and securing the league title with an undefeated record.

In the knockout stage, Loughborough faced a significant challenge in the semi-final against UoN at home on March 17th 2024. The UoN led 3-1 at halftime and extended their lead early in the second half. However, Loughborough made a remarkable comeback in the last 15 minutes, winning the game 6-5.

The final match and championship decide was between Loughborough University and Hertfordshire University and took place at Derby University. Loughborough started strong, scoring two goals in the first half and another early in the second half. Hertfordshire fought back to bring the score to 4-3 with 4 minutes remaining, but Loughborough scored two more goals in the final minutes, securing the championship with a 6-3 victory.

Head coach Jose Llorente commented, "This BUCS season has been incredible! Our players embraced every game as an opportunity to make a statement.

We were committed to winning the competition, emphasizing that hard work and the right attitude were essential. I am proud of the team and especially happy for those who are graduating on a high."

Loughborough University Futsal's season concluded with an impressive championship victory, capping off a campaign marked by determination and skill. With an undefeated record in both league and knockout matches, their journey to the top showcased their resilience and talent on the court this season.