Challenge

Decathlon Arena
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Henrik Larsson got the match started through his kick off. Tadej Pogačar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Zaccheo Andolina, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 5 minutes into the match, Italy's Zaccheo Andolina sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Tadej Pogačar narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 5 minutes into the match, Zaccheo Andolina had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Tadej Pogačar. Decathlon Dudes's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Zaccheo Andolina was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Henrik Larsson was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 14th minute. Decathlon Dudes's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Flavio Vittori made an important save on a dangerous shot by Henrik Larsson in the 16th minute. Italy's Eliseo Cutri quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Karsten Schoonderwoerd, made in the 21st minute of the game. Flavio Vittori made an important save on a dangerous shot by Henrik Larsson in the 27th minute. With a little luck, Italy's Flavio Vittori got control of the ball when Henrik Larsson tried to sneak it across the goal line. 31 minutes into the match, Italy's goalkeeper Flavio Vittori had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Henrik Larsson. The corner led Italy's Sigfrido Auletta to fire away a dangerous shot which Tadej Pogačar despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Henrik Larsson who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 36thth minute tested the skills of Flavio Vittori when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Decathlon Dudes's Tadej Pogačar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Zaccheo Andolina in the 37th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Zaccheo Andolina in the 39th minute of play forced Decathlon Dudes's goalkeeper Tadej Pogačar to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ruben Idelberger hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Henrik Larsson in the 43rd minute of play forced Italy's goalkeeper Flavio Vittori to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 46th minute, Ruben Idelberger hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After the first half Italy were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Zaccheo Andolina to make the kick off. Tadej Pogačar made a fantastic save in the 52nd minute, when Zaccheo Andolina sent off a good shot on target. Flavio Vittori showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Henrik Larsson in the 59th minute of the match. Zaccheo Andolina recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 63rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Gomberto Picozzi hit a great freekick 71 minutes into the match. When Temelko Chukov came up free with the goalie in the 72nd minute, the Decathlon Dudes fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Temelko Chukov couldn't finish the play. Italy made a substitution. Sansone Vanella replaced Gianpaolo Mascari. Italy's Adriano Curto was substituted for Zaccheo Andolina. After a defensive mix-up in Decathlon Dudes's zone, Siricio Liotta stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Tadej Pogačar came out of the goal and Siricio Liotta tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The crowd rose to their feet as Adriano Curto kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Tadej Pogačar. That made the score 0-2 in the 85 minute of play. Italy's Flavio Vittori played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Henrik Larsson in the 88th minute of play. After having played for 93 minutes, Adriano Curto managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Italy's supporters crossed their fingers, but Adriano Curto was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Italy's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.