28.2.15

Brazil 2-0 USA

Risultato clamoroso all'Ambrit Arena, che riapre completamente il discorso qualificazione del torneo femminile: l'esordio di Elizabeth nelle fila degli Stati Uniti coincide infatti con una netta sconfitta, ad opera di un grintoso e implacabile Brasile, in cui spicca la prestazione perfetta di Margarida.
Il Brasile da subito ha trovato la giusta organizzazione, con una difesa ben giudata da Sophie e Celeste, abili anche a costruire gioco, e una rinata Carolina a centrocampo, che - insieme alla sempre molto tecnica Ran - ha permesso a Margarida di siglare una doppietta. In casa statunitense la solita generosa Elizabeth non è bastata a gestire un attacco impreciso e una difesa poco concentrata.
Positiva la prova di Raffaella, ormai una certezza, di Lea e Leila. Ora le Brasiliane faranno il tifo per l'Argentina nell'ultima partita del girone: una vittoria sudamericana infatti le promuoverebbe in finale, eliminando gli USA!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Margarida 7, Carolina 5, Sophie 3, Raffaella 2, Sofia 2, Lea 1, Leila EZ 1.

27.2.15

Greece 0-1 Italy

Abandoned by Noah, Jacopo M, Guerrino, Taro and Artur, Captain Giacomo could only look on helplessly as his team lost to Italy and missed out on the Final.
Luka returned from his tennis exploits to inspire the Italians. His was the goal - scored in the first half - that separated the teams. Italy had other chances too in the first half but Greece were saved by a goalmouth scramble and by poor shooting from the Italian forwards.
Greece themselves had few opportunities, the best of them created and missed by EdoJ.
The teams will meet again in the Third Place Final.
BEST PLAYER POINTS:  Anastasia 5, Tristano 3, Luka 2, Edo J 2, Giacomo 2, Alex V 2, Mattis 1, Filippo G 1,  Alex K 1, Jacopo S 2,

25.2.15

Germany 4-1 France

France went ahead in this match but sank deeper into trouble when the Germans came back and steamrolled to an easy win.
The opening goal came when Pietu hoisted a hopeful ball into the air and, when it came down, the bounce tricked Octavio and finished in the back of the net. But the Germans didn't panic.
With Filippo playing a holding role at the back, they built their attacks through Edo R and Francesco R and Edo made it 1-1. He almost made it 2-1 seconds later but hit the post instead. Luca R then did score... yes, you guessed it - with his head AGAIN!
Riccardo F and Alfonso tried valiantly to bring the game back to the Germans. Riccardo made a mazy run that took him into the box but Filippo C stopped him with a perfectly-timed tackle.
Ricky then stole a ball off Filippo C in midfield but was then tackled himself before he could get a shot in. Gabriele then shot over from a good position and Francesco R made it 3-1 before half time with a long-range effort past Francesco C in goal.
Nicholas R scored the fourth with a simple tap in in the second half.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Filippo C 4, Alfonso 4, Riccardo F 3, Francesco R 3, Gabriele 2, Edo R 2, Pietu 1, Michael 1, Matteo 1

24.2.15

USA 0-0 Brazil

Due squadre molto rimaneggiate, con rinforzi pescati in altre squadre causa le molte assenze, non "si fanno male" nel pareggio a reti bianche. Per il Brasile si tratta del primo punto conquistato nel torneo, mentre per gli Stati Uniti - in attesa dell'esordio di Elizabeth - di una partita transitoria, prima dello scontro diretto con l'Argentina. Poco da segnalare: portieri quasi indisturbati tra i pali, molta confusione nello svolgimento delle azioni di gioco (in verità più simili a una partita di ping-pong).

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Ran 2, Raffaella 1, Angelica 1, Sofia 1, Celeste 1, Beatriz 1, Sophie 1, Margarida 1.

20.2.15

USA 3 - 1 Argentina

Gli USA battono nettamente l'Argentina, che dopo due vittorie sognava l'en plein, e si propongono per la vittoria finale. Orfani di Elizabeth, ieri assente ma ben sostituita da Margarida, e arricchiti dalla presenza di Ran, le statunintensi hanno imposto il loro gioco e hanno saputo curare molto bene anche la parte difensiva. Nel primo tempo un guizzo dell'ottima Greta, ha portato in vantaggio l'Argentina: dribbling tra due avversarie e tiro - non irresistibile - che è passato sotto il corpo di Lucrezia. Non una grande giornata, in verità, per i due portieri: poco dopo è stata Anastasia a far passare un tiro non imprendibile, permettendo agli USA di pareggiare i conti. Poco dopo un buon inserimento di Sofia ha portato al vantaggio americano, consolidato nella ripresa da un'azione personale di Margarida conclusa alla perfezione. Da sottolineare la prova più che convincente di Raffaella, ieri leader in campo e vero capitano.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Raffaella 6, Sofia 5, Leila EZ 2, Lucie 2, Greta 2, Vale 1, Beatriz 1.

18.2.15

Spain 2-0 Greece

A disappointing match was won by a clearly superior Spanish team and the margin would have been greater had it not been for two excellent saves from Anastasia.
The only goal of the first half was scored by Ricky when he was first to follow up a shot that was well-saved by Anastasia.
The only goal of the second half was an individual effort from Noah G when he accelerated away from his marker and struck a reverse shot past a surprised Anastasia. Ricky should have scored a second when Sam played him through but Anastasia dived to her right to make a great stop and Jacopo S was on hand to block the follow up shot from Sasha. Sam also had a good chance to score when he struck a beautiful volley but Anastasia, once again, was equal to the challenge. Greece never really threatened. Jacopo M did his best but Noah I was missed up front.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Anastasia 4, Sasha 3, Jacopo M 3, Sam 2, Alex K 2, Jacopo S 2, Tommaso 1, Giovanni 1, Noah G 1, Riccardo G 1, Filippo T 1

13.2.15

Germany 5-2 Italy

Germany deserved their win today but were a little flattered by the final scoreline.
Andrew Coleman got on the scoresheet for the second game in a row when he was on hand to turn in a good cross from Alex V for the firs goal of the game: 1-0 to Italy. It might have been 2-0 but Filippo C got back to clear the ball off the line.
Germany equalised when Luca R rose to head home a Francesco R throw-in and the brothers repeated the dose two minute later to send their team into half-time with a 2-1 lead, though it might have been 2-2 had Andrew not missed a good chance from close range.
Italy started well again in the second half and Luka D's determination was rewarded when his excellent pass found Filippo G free on the left and Bomber Gigli scored with a well-placed shot. The Germans now redoubled their efforts and improved their passing and team play. Filippo C came forward a little more and Francesco B had to clear a ball off the line.
But the Germans were not to be denied and they took the lead with yet another headed goal, this time from Filippo C. Nicholas made it 4-2: Edo R made it 5-2.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Filippo C 6, Luca R 4, Tristano 3, Francesco R 2, Edo R 1, Luka D 1, Octavio 1, Alex V 1, Andrew C 1, Francesco B

12.2.15

Argentina 1 - 0 Brasile

Nuovo derby sudamericano, nuova vittoria per l'Argentina, sempre col punteggio di 1-0. A siglare la rete vittoria questa volta è il capitano Lucie, brava a spingere in rete un pallone in mischia. La partita è stata al solito piacevole e divertente, con molto agonismo e poche idee sulla costruzione di gioco. I difensori hanno avuto vita facile e hanno quasi sempre giocato d'anticipo. Nel primo tempo il Brasile ha avuto un'occasione golosa, quando Margarida - dopo un'indecisone di Helena - si è presentata di fronte ad Anastasia tutta sola, ma il portierone si è opposto con una bella uscita bassa.
Nella ripresa l'Argentina si è ben coperta, con la solita prova di sostanza di Valentina. All'ultimo secondo, sull'arrembaggio finale del Brasile, il pallone è capitato sui piedi di Lucrezia (!) che ha sparato alto da buona posizione.
L'Argentina ipoteca un posto in finale, mentre per il Brasile la situazione diventa molto complicata, dovendo vincere il doppio confronto con le favoritissime Statunitensi.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Lucie 4, Sophie 3, Celeste 2,  Valentina 2, Ginevra 2,  Anna 2, Ran 1, Margarida 1.

11.2.15

Spain 4-1 France

France plunged to another defeat today and will need collect some points in their next match to avoid elimination.
It was a French player however who lit up the match early on wen Alfonso's weaving run along the end line was halted by a foul and Alfonso himself scored from the resulting penalty.
It took Spain most of the first half to find a reply. Sam and Ricky were both foiled when Francesco C - in goal today - made a great double save. Sasha then made a great run down the right but his shot went wide. Finally though, Noah G played a neat one-two with Ricky and planted the ball past Francesco for a deserved equaliser. Noah G then got on the end of a corner to make it 2-1 just before half-time.
In the second half, Noah turned provider and set up Sasha for the third. and Ricky added a fourth from a free-kick.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Noah G 6, Riccardo G 3, Alfonso 3, Pietu 2, Gabriele 2, Francesco C 1, Lucrezia 1, Tommaso 1, Filippo T 1, Sasha 1

7.2.15

Ambrit Tournament

Ambrit entered two team this Saturday and both of them played very well. The 'A' team was unlucky to finish second on goal difference... by a single goal!
RESULTS
Ambrit ‘A’ 4-2 Ambrit ‘B’ (Sasha, Thomas; Jacopo, Luca Filippo C; Elizabeth)

NSR 4-2 AOSR

Ambrit ‘A’ 3-3 NSR (Jacopo, Jacopo, Filippo C; fantastic performances from Filippo & Lucrezia!)

Ambrit ‘B’ 0-5 AOSR

Ambrit ‘B’ 1-4 NSR (Gabriele)


Ambrit ‘A’ 3-1 AOSR (Jacopo, Jacopo, Elizabeth; fantastic performances from Giacomo & Sofia!)

Germany 1-4 Greece

Greece shocked the world of football today with a resounding win over Germany in a game highly influenced by an outstanding performance from the on-loan player: Elizabeth.
Greece took the lead when some poor defensive play let in Edo J for a headed goal over Octavio's outstretched arm.
Noah I then missed two fantastic chances and picked up a yellow card before Filippo C equalised on half-time.
Early in the second half, Greece went back into the lead through an own goal. Germany attacked but couldn't get past Anastasia. Greece made it 3-1 on the break, Noah I this time making no mistake.
But the best of the goals came at the end: Elizabeth collected the ball on the left just inside the German half; she looked up, saw Octavio slightly out of position and hit a beautiful shot past him and into the opposite top corner. What a beauty!
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Edo J 6, Anastasia 4, Taro 3, Alex K 3, Giacomo 2, Jacopo S 2, Noah I 1

4.2.15

France 3-3 Italy

This much-anticipated didn't disappoint another sell-out crowd at Ambrit Stadium today as the Spring Intramural saw its first draw.
Andrew Coleman got a good touch on an early pass and it was enough to give Italy the lead. Riccardo led his team's fightback and he scored the equaliser himself, Alfonso put France 2-1 up and Stuart made it 3-1.
Italy, after a disappointing defeat in their first game, were determined not to lose again and they deservedly fought back to 3-2 through Filippo G. Then, with only a couple of minutes on the clock, Alex V scored the equaliser with a well-struck and well-placed shot from the right.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Alfonso 5, Alex V 4, Ascanio 3, Tristano 3, Michael 2, Luka 1, Andrew C 2, Francesco B 1