Challenge

Stade Michel Hidalgo
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Bengt-Rune Mellberg started the match with the kick off. 8 minutes into the match, U.S.Normande's goal looked a bit too open when Gijsbert ter Kruimer came free, but Christopher Barnier reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Netherlands's Wim Wilmes got a good chance for a goal in the 14th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Bengt-Rune Mellberg did some fancy footwork in front of goal and succeeded to deceive the defenders so he could slam the ball in 1-1 to the left of a surprised Arnout Reekers 25 minutes into the match. U.S.Normande's Christopher Barnier played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 32nd minute of play. Gustaaf Groeneveldt's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Christopher Barnier read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 35th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Aymerick Tourrette in the 36th minute of play forced Netherlands's goalkeeper Arnout Reekers to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Mathijn Doctor fell near the penalty area in the 42nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Netherlands's protests and gave Mathijn Doctor a yellow card for diving instead. Mathijn Doctor hit a great freekick 42 minutes into the match. Youri Borderie came free with the goalkeeper in the 43rd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Arnout Reekers could save by the left post. Arnout Reekers took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Aurélien Mussard, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Gijsbert ter Kruimer stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. If Gustaaf Groeneveldt had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 50th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Christopher Barnier came out of the goal in the 52nd minute to try and stop a shot by Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer. But to his dismay, Gijsbert ter Kruimer quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-2. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Aurélien Mussard in the 56th minute of play. In the 56th minute, Lars Meesters hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Christopher Barnier was out of position in the 60 minute of play, and Gijsbert ter Kruimer capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Gijsbert ter Kruimer really showed his touch with that goal: 1-3. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Youri Borderie in the 73rd minute of the match. In the 75th minute, Steve Rendu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Gustaaf Groeneveldt came free with the goalkeeper in the 79th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Christopher Barnier could save by the left post. Netherlands's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 80th minute. After taking down the ball on Netherlands's corner David Eikelkamp fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Christopher Barnier quite easily take care of the ball. 80 minutes into the match, David Eikelkamp notched a goal, 1-4, to the right of U.S.Normande's Christopher Barnier. Christopher Barnier was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. 83 minutes into the match, U.S.Normande's goalkeeper Christopher Barnier had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt. The corner ended in Gijsbert ter Kruimer almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but U.S.Normande's Christopher Barnier did a great save. 86 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Aymerick Tourrette came free, but Arnout Reekers reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. U.S.Normande's Christopher Barnier proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 89th minute of the match, managed to save U.S.Normande from getting a goal against them. In the 91st minute of the match Netherlands got a corner. U.S.Normande's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Gijsbert ter Kruimer ran over to the corner to take the kick. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Netherlands walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.