20.2.16

France 3-3 Spain

In their final match of the qualifiers, Spain finally managed to put a point on the board with a stirring second half comeback.
The first half belonged to France and two fine goals from Francesco R and a third from Ale Z early in the second half seemed to have condemned Spain to a fourth consecutive defeat.
But Lucrezia - one of today's guest players - ignited a comeback when she fired in from a difficult angle after Peter was caught out of position. Ascanio followed up with a second goal (to shouts of Viva il Parziale!!?? from the sideline) and Taro completed the comeback with an excellent goal following a long solo run past three defenders.
One final note: though not eleigible for votes, Raffaella would clearly be a strong competitior for today's Player of the Match: Bravissima!
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Francesco R 6, Taro 5, Alessandro 4, Nicholas 3, Ascanio 3

18.2.16

England 2 - 2 Germany

Un buon match all'Ambrit Arena, sotto gli occhi increduli di un ex-studente particolarmente entusiasta di vedere l'ottima tecnica delle nostre ragazze. Un match perfettamente spaccato a metà: una prima parte dominata dalla Germania, capace di passare per due volte (la seconda direttamente sul bel calcio d'angolo di Lucrezia); una seconda metà in cui l'Inghilterra ha recuperato e ha rischiato di vincere nel finale, grazie alle reti di Matilde e Marga.
Brave le Inglesi a crederci fino alla fine, un po' di rammarico invece dalla parte tedesca per l'atteggiamento - forse troppo difensivo - del secondo tempo...

PLAYER OF THE MACTH POINTS:
 Lucrezia 4, Matilde 3, Giulia 3, Helèna 2, Marga 2, Allison 2, Beatriz 1, Eilidh 1, Raffaella 1, Leila 1, Lucie 1, Lea 1.

17.2.16

Sweden 6-2 Spain

Spain suffered another heavy defeat today. Though they rallied towards the end, they spent much of the match in disarray and are certain candidates to miss out on qualification.
Sam opened the scoring with a good diagonal shot off Michael's assist and Michael nabbed the second one himself, nipping in from the right corner to slip the ball past Taro.
In the second half, Taro scored an OG to make it 3-0 and then Noah scored the best goal of the game after a lovely sequence of one twos with Sam and Giovanni. Noah scored again to make it 5-0.
Spain's vain resurgence saw goals from Nicholas and Ascanio but a final goal from Sam sealed the victory. Congratulations to Giovanni on a very well organised team where everybody knew their job and did it well.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Noah 4, Manfredi 3, Ramnath 3, Sam 3, Michael 2, Giovanni 2, Tristan 1, Laith 1, Thomas 1, Taro 1

13.2.16

England 0-0 Germany

The girls finally took to the field again and produced a good game which was not, however, adorned with goals.
For England, Eilidh and Margarida tried to pass the ball through midfield and Margarida's pace up front was always a threat. For Germany, Lucrezia and Lucie matched them step for step, ably backed up by Helena. Defences were solid, impregnable; goalkeepers were sure and steady.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Lucrezia 3 Marga 3, Lucie 2, Raffa 2, Helena 2, Giuia 2,  Eilidh 2, Leila 1, Beatriz 1, Lea 1, Yara 1, Allison 1

5.2.16

Ireland 3-4 Sweden

An unexpected reverse for the Boys in Green today in this rehearsal for next summer's showdown in France.
Zeno and Sam traded goals early on and an own-goal for each side kept the scores level. Another goal for Sam was equalised by a beautiful strike from Sasha but Sam too pulled a beautiful strike out of the hat to score the winner late on.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Sam 4, Sasha 3, Aden 2, Ramnath 2, Noah 2, Andrew 2, Tanner 2, Manfredi 1 (Y), Falco 1, Finnian 1, Tiberio, 1

3.2.16

Italy 3-0 Spain

An in-form Nathan made the difference in this game as Italy collected three more points.
Nathan opened the scoring after 5 minutes when he cut inside on the left and found the best route to goal with a blind-side shot that gave the keeper no chance. Niccolo had a good chance on 8 minutes but Ascanio saved well.
Spain, withoout some of their best players, battled well and kept their opponents to 1-0 until the seventh minute of the second half. Alex stopped a good shot from Gabriele andNathan hit the post when Gabriele found him with a good diagonal pass. Nathan then did score to make it 2-0 and Nico made it three.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Nathan 5, Gabriele 4, Jacopo 3, Laith 3, Niccolo 1, Giuseppe 1, Thomas 1, Ascanio 1, Lapo 1, Federico 1,