Challenge

XMAS park
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Ernesto Minichiello started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. The audience was convinced that Chris Nygaard's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Armando Polidori was relentless in the 5th minute of the game. A collision led to XMAS getting a freekick after 8 minutes play. Bruno Alessandrini hit a great ball. If Bruno Alessandrini had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 10th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Chris Nygaard in the 14th minute of play forced XMAS's goalkeeper Armando Polidori to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 16 minutes, Chris Nygaard managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Denmark's supporters crossed their fingers, but Chris Nygaard was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Simon Bendtsen kicked well hit freekick during the 20th minute of the match. Armando Polidori stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Chris Nygaard's shot from short distance in the 22nd minute. Concetto Marinucci got a throw-in 25 minutes in the game and the ball was received by Filippo Barbato. Fabio Simonetti's late challenge caught a Denmark's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Fabio Simonetti helped the player get up and apologised. Filippo Barbato got a throw-in 33 minutes in the game and the ball was received by Bruno Alessandrini. After 34 played minutes XMAS got a freekick which was hit by Ernesto Minichiello. 35 minutes into the match, XMAS's goal looked a bit too open when Chris Nygaard came free, but Armando Polidori reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After recieving a nice pass, Denmark's Chris Nygaard tried to score from far away in the 38th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Chris Nygaard in the 39th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Armando Polidori saved XMAS from getting behind. 41 minutes into the game, Chris Nygaard cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Armando Polidori was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Ernesto Minichiello's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 45thth minute, Keld Paulsen skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Chris Nygaard recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 46th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Armando Polidori made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Chris Nygaard in the 48th minute of play. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

XMAS made a substitution. Alessio Ascoli replaced Christian Zaccardi. Armando Polidori took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Chris Nygaard, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With an all-out effort, Denmark's Armando Polidori threw himself towards the right post 55 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Chris Nygaard, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. After a rather tough play, Denmark's Simon Bendtsen got a free kick in the 57th minute. In the 59th match minute, XMAS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alvaro Aversano to maneuver through the defense. The corner ended in Chris Nygaard almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but XMAS's Armando Polidori did a great save. If Lars Steen had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 64 minutes into the match, XMAS's goal looked a bit too open when Chris Nygaard came free, but Armando Polidori reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Concetto Marinucci made in the 66th minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Bruno Alessandrini however managed to control. If Bertram Svenningsen had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 69th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Concetto Marinucci made in the 76th minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Bruno Alessandrini however managed to control. Armando Polidori showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Chris Nygaard, who was totally free with the ball in the 78th minute. XMAS's Eugenio Casiraghi got a good chance for a goal in the 81st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The supporters of XMAS booed when Denmark was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 82 match minutes in a wonderful position. Simon Bendtsen didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 85 minutes Denmark's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Dave Barillari who took care of the corner kick. After a rather tough play, XMAS's Alberigo Gianfrancesco got a free kick in the 86th minute. In the 90th minute, Lars Steen hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Mikkel Wulff struck a weak shot in the 94th minute. Armando Polidori didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Denmark. Chris Nygaard sent away a hard shot on goal in the 98th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The XMAS fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Denmark were clearly better and deserved to take the win.