Challenge

Emirates Stadium
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) In the 4thth minute of the game Gijsbert ter Kruimer who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Espen Steelers's Fabian Honauer was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. After 4 minutes, Gijsbert ter Kruimer made it 0-1 with a short kick to the right side. Espen Steelers's Fabian Honauer tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. With an all-out effort, Espen Steelers's Arnout Reekers threw himself towards the right post 7 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Nino Schurter, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alain Berset in the 9th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 10th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Fabian Honauer prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Lars Meesters had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 16th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Fabian Honauer took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Gustaaf Groeneveldt had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nino Schurter in the 25th minute of play. Alberto Giacometti hit a great freekick 33 minutes into the match. 35 minutes into the match, Espen Steelers's Nino Schurter sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Arnout Reekers narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After a rather tough play, Netherlands's David Eikelkamp got a free kick in the 38th minute. The crowd rose to their feet as Espen Steelers's Alain Berset slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Arnout Reekers. That made the score 1-1 after 39 minutes of play. Wim Wilmes kicked well hit freekick during the 45th minute of the match. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The supporters of Espen Steelers booed when Netherlands was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gijsbert ter Kruimer didn't get a good kick on the ball. 55 minutes into the match, Espen Steelers's goal looked a bit too open when Gijsbert ter Kruimer came free, but Fabian Honauer reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 56th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Fabian Honauer saved Espen Steelers from getting behind. Fabian Honauer showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer, who was totally free with the ball in the 61st minute. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nino Schurter, who was totally free with the ball in the 66th minute. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nino Schurter in the 68th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nino Schurter in the 68th minute of play forced Netherlands's goalkeeper Arnout Reekers to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alain Berset in the 70th minute of the match. 74 minutes into the match, Espen Steelers's goal looked a bit too open when Wim Wilmes came free, but Fabian Honauer reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nino Schurter, who was totally free with the ball in the 75th minute. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rogelio Montez, who was totally free with the ball in the 82nd minute. Arnout Reekers showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rogelio Montez, who was totally free with the ball in the 84th minute. Espen Steelers made a substitution. Hassan Schürch replaced Raffaelo Berger. In the 86th minute, Williams Imholz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Alain Berset struck a weak shot in the 91st minute. Arnout Reekers didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Espen Steelers. After some careless play in the Netherlands defense, Alain Berset kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Arnout Reekers. The Netherlands fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Arnout Reekers should have stopped the shot. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Espen Steelers fans cheered their team off the field, for while Netherlands had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.