U23 World League

Arena do Grêmio
Spectators: 7981 (Terracing: 5987, Seating: 1835, VIP seats: 159) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Facundo Nazario kicked off to start the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Zhang Jing Lin in the 3rd minute of play forced Grêmio RK75's goalkeeper Matias Taffarel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 4 played minutes Grêmio RK75 got a freekick which was hit by José Pedro Coutinho. 11 minutes into the match, Grêmio RK75's goal looked a bit too open when Slavey Lesov came free, but Matias Taffarel reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Sven Brask fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Matias Taffarel having to interfere. In the 17th minute Facundo Nazario shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Matias Taffarel saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 18 played minutes Grêmio RK75 got a freekick which was hit by João Soares. Lokomotiv Plovdiv's Lin Feng Xi couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 19th minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Grêmio RK75. Matias Taffarel made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Milosz Bartocha in the 22nd minute of play. Matias Taffarel took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Slavey Lesov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Krasimir Mishovski took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Baltazar Filho, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 32 played minutes Grêmio RK75 got a freekick which was hit by Luís Paulo Laguna. An unexpectedly hard shot by Slavey Lesov in the 33rd minute of play forced Grêmio RK75's goalkeeper Matias Taffarel to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 35 minutes, Baltazar Filho mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Grêmio RK75 and the Lokomotiv Plovdiv players grew even worse after the yellow card. Baltazar Filho hit a great freekick 35 minutes into the match. After having played for 36 minutes, Sven Brask managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Lokomotiv Plovdiv's supporters crossed their fingers, but Sven Brask was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Grêmio RK75's Matias Taffarel played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Slavey Lesov in the 39th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Sven Brask in the 40th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Matias Taffarel prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Krasimir Mishovski made an important save on a dangerous shot by Baltazar Filho in the 43rd minute. Jiang Bing Yi kicked well hit freekick during the 47th minute of the match. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Luís Paulo Laguna made the kick off in the second half. 54 minutes into the match, Lokomotiv Plovdiv's goal looked a bit too open when Christian Linares came free, but Krasimir Mishovski reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Baltazar Filho in the 54th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Krasimir Mishovski saved Lokomotiv Plovdiv from getting behind. Krasimir Mishovski stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Baltazar Filho's shot from short distance in the 55th minute. Matias Taffarel made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sven Brask in the 61st minute of play. Krasimir Mishovski showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luís Paulo Laguna in the 70th minute of the match. Baltazar Filho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Krasimir Mishovski having to interfere. Grêmio RK75's Matias Taffarel played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Facundo Nazario in the 74th minute of play. Matias Taffarel made an important save on a dangerous shot by Facundo Nazario in the 76th minute. When Grêmio RK75's Luís Paulo Laguna in the 80th minute got a chance for a shot 80th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Lokomotiv Plovdiv's goalie prevented a goal. Krasimir Mishovski showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Baltazar Filho in the 87th minute of the match.