Challenge

Porvoo Stadium
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Gijsbert ter Kruimer kicked off to start the match. Francesco Toldo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 3rd minute of play. If Gustaaf Groeneveldt had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 5th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Netherlands getting a freekick after 8 minutes play. Egbert Nijveldt hit a great ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Paavo Hirvonen got free with Arnout Reekers in the 12th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 19 minutes into the game, Kees Mooiweer threw the ball into play from the sideline. Porvoon Futura's Jari Litmanen quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. If Iso Gulli had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 22nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Iso Gulli could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 24th minute of the match, but Arnout Reekers made a huge save. After having played for 27 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. Francesco Toldo showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gustaaf Groeneveldt, who was totally free with the ball in the 29th minute. Netherlands's Arnout Reekers proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 31st minute of the match, managed to save Netherlands from getting a goal against them. The audience was convinced that Iso Gulli's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Arnout Reekers was relentless in the 32nd minute of the game. If David Eikelkamp had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 35th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Porvoon Futura's Francesco Toldo played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gustaaf Groeneveldt in the 39th minute of play. Paavo Hirvonen hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. After having played for 43 minutes, Wim Wilmes managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Netherlands's supporters crossed their fingers, but Wim Wilmes was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Gijsbert ter Kruimer struck a weak shot in the 47th minute. Francesco Toldo didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Netherlands.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Iso Gulli stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Arnout Reekers made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Iso Gulli in the 57th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Porvoon Futura's Henrik Höijer got a free kick in the 62nd minute. Gijsbert ter Kruimer shot from long distance in the 63rd minute, but Francesco Toldo was prepared and stopped the ball at the left post. Kees Mooiweer made in the 65th minute of the game a quick throw-in and Gijsbert ter Kruimer immediately put the ball in play. Francesco Toldo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Wim Wilmes in the 66th minute of play. The supporters of Netherlands booed when Porvoon Futura was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 67 match minutes in a wonderful position. Paavo Hirvonen didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 69 played minutes Porvoon Futura got a freekick which was hit by Seppo Jokela. In the 71st minute the ball was on its way in behind Porvoon Futura's goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 72nd minute of the match Netherlands got a corner. Porvoon Futura'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. It was a well-played corner which Egbert Nijveldt managed to volley towards the net. Unfortunately, he didn't get a great hit on the ball and it went out into the grandstand. Porvoon Futura's Francesco Toldo proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 74th minute of the match, managed to save Porvoon Futura from getting a goal against them. With an all-out effort, Netherlands's Francesco Toldo threw himself towards the right post 76 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Gijsbert ter Kruimer, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. After 77 played minutes Porvoon Futura got a freekick which was hit by Iso Gulli. Porvoon Futura made a substitution. Ruben Valkenaers replaced Iso Gulli. Iso Gulli kicked well hit freekick during the 78th minute of the match. 80 minutes had been played when some careless play by Porvoon Futura's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Gijsbert ter Kruimer was slow to take the kick. During this time Netherlands's players had a chance to rest. A well-hit corner resulted in Lars Meesters heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. In the 86th minute, Porvoon Futura's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Gustaaf Groeneveldt fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. 87 minutes into the match, Porvoon Futura's goal looked a bit too open when Gijsbert ter Kruimer came free, but Francesco Toldo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Thanks to some nice moves Gustaaf Groeneveldt could shoot a difficult shot in the 89th minute, which Francesco Toldo however easily saved by the left post. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Porvoon Futura fans cheered their team off the field, for while Netherlands had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.