Challenge

Stade Michel Hidalgo
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Youri Borderie kicked off to start the match. Mikael Damm took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lars Meesters in the 11th minute of play forced U.S.Normande's goalkeeper Mikael Damm to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 14th minute of play forced U.S.Normande's goalkeeper Mikael Damm to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Bengt-Rune Mellberg could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 15th minute of the match, but Arnout Reekers made a huge save. After some careless play in the Netherlands defense, Bengt-Rune Mellberg 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. If Wim Wilmes had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. U.S.Normande's Mikael Damm played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 26th minute of play. Arnout Reekers stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Youri Borderie's shot from short distance in the 28th minute. U.S.Normande's Mikael Damm played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 30th minute of play. Mikael Damm made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gijsbert ter Kruimer in the 33rd minute of play. Gijsbert ter Kruimer's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Mikael Damm read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 34th minute of play. Through an outstanding action, after 37 minutes, Arnout Reekers successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. The crowd rose to their feet as U.S.Normande's Youri Borderie slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Arnout Reekers. That made the score 2-0 after 42 minutes of play. Gijsbert ter Kruimer fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mikael Damm having to interfere. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

51 minutes into the match, U.S.Normande's goal looked a bit too open when Wim Wilmes came free, but Mikael Damm reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mathias Mulard hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. Mikael Damm made an important save on a dangerous shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 56th minute. Mikael Damm was a little too slow when Gustaaf Groeneveldt got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 56th minute. The score was now 2-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Léopold Fraval in the 59th minute of play forced Netherlands's goalkeeper Arnout Reekers to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 61st minute, Gijsbert ter Kruimer left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Netherlands fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-2. After 66 played minutes U.S.Normande got a freekick which was hit by Mathias Mulard. Gustaaf Groeneveldt sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 71 minutes, Gijsbert ter Kruimer managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Gijsbert ter Kruimer was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 73rd minute, Netherlands's Gustaaf Groeneveldt dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-3. Arnout Reekers showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Youri Borderie in the 76th minute of the match. U.S.Normande's Mikael Damm played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lars Meesters in the 83rd minute of play. In the 86th minute Bengt-Rune Mellberg shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Arnout Reekers saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The supporters of U.S.Normande booed when Netherlands was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 87 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gijsbert ter Kruimer didn't get a good kick on the ball. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Youri Borderie in the 90th minute of play. Netherlands's Gijsbert ter Kruimer got a good chance for a goal in the 91st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Netherlands's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.