Challenge

Claudiu Maior
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely's Eusebiu Ipătescu started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Italy's Flavio Vittori played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Eusebiu Ipătescu in the 6th minute of play. Italy's Flavio Vittori proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 10th minute of the match, managed to save Italy from getting a goal against them. An unexpectedly hard shot by Zaccheo Andolina in the 11th minute of play forced Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely's goalkeeper Lyle Coppack to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 17thth minute of the game Mihăiţă Stolniceanu who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Italy's Flavio Vittori was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. The supporters of Italy booed when Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 18 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mihăiţă Stolniceanu didn't get a good kick on the ball. The audience was convinced that Mihăiţă Stolniceanu's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Flavio Vittori was relentless in the 20th minute of the game. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eusebiu Ipătescu in the 22nd minute of play forced Italy's goalkeeper Flavio Vittori to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Flavio Vittori took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Eusebiu Ipătescu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The supporters of Italy booed when Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 26 match minutes in a wonderful position. Fábio Vieira didn't get a good kick on the ball. 34 minutes into the match, Italy's goal looked a bit too open when Eusebiu Ipătescu came free, but Flavio Vittori reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Lyle Coppack took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Siricio Liotta, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 39th minute, Siricio Liotta left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Italy fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. Adrián-Daniel Dobre recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 42nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 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.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Zaccheo Andolina made a kick off. Flavio Vittori showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Eusebiu Ipătescu in the 54th minute of the match. After 57 played minutes Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely got a freekick which was hit by Patrik De Roost. In the 59th minute the ball was on its way in behind Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely's goalkeeper Lyle Coppack, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Zaccheo Andolina scored 0-2 in the 59th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Lyle Coppack, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Zaccheo Andolina fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 62nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lyle Coppack having to interfere. Edward Bartoszek hit a great freekick 68 minutes into the match. Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely's Ferdinand Zmărăndache was substituted for Adrián-Daniel Dobre. Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely made a substitution. Carlos Mei replaced Eusebiu Ipătescu. Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely's Vlad Graur was substituted for Anacleto Geofredo. A collision led to Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely getting a freekick after 69 minutes play. Edward Bartoszek hit a great ball. Through an outstanding action, after 74 minutes, Lyle Coppack successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ferdinand Zmărăndache in the 75th minute of play forced Italy's goalkeeper Flavio Vittori to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 80 minutes into the match, Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely's goal looked a bit too open when Sigfrido Auletta came free, but Lyle Coppack reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 82 minutes into the match, Zaccheo Andolina had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Lyle Coppack. Erdélyi SE Marosvásárhely's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Zaccheo Andolina was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-3. Italy's Guiscardo Davide was substituted for Sigfrido Auletta. Italy's Adriano Curto was substituted for Zaccheo Andolina. After some fancy dribbling in the 86th minute, Adriano Curto managed to get in a good position for a shot. Italy's supporters rose to their feet, but Adriano Curto was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Lyle Coppack breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Carlos Mei sent away a hard shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. A sloppy throw-in by Patrik De Roost in the 95th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Italy's Eliseo Cutri. The Italy supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Italy would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.