U23 World League

Stadio Teodorano
Spectators: 7506 (Terracing: 5630, Seating: 1726, VIP seats: 150) UNLIMITED's Andrea Piermattei 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. In the 6th minute Cai Espinosa shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alfonso Baldassarre saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cai Espinosa's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Alfonso Baldassarre read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 9th minute of play. 15 minutes into the match, Cai Espinosa had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Alfonso Baldassarre. UNLIMITED's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cai Espinosa was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. After having played for 20 minutes, Cai Espinosa managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Real Llull de Reus's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cai Espinosa was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Cai Espinosa struck a weak shot in the 29th minute. Alfonso Baldassarre didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Real Llull de Reus. After some careless play in the UNLIMITED defense, Nico Paz kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Alfonso Baldassarre. The UNLIMITED fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Alfonso Baldassarre should have stopped the shot. 33 minutes into the match, Cai Espinosa had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Alfonso Baldassarre. UNLIMITED's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cai Espinosa was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-3. Cai Espinosa scored 0-4 in the 38th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Alfonso Baldassarre, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Alfonso Baldassarre showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cai Espinosa, who was totally free with the ball in the 43rd minute. Alfonso Baldassarre took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nico Paz, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After the first half Real Llull de Reus were leading 0-4. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Marcelo Valverde was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 53rd minute. Real Llull de Reus's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Cai Espinosa received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Alfonso Baldassarre came out and tried to block the shot, but Cai Espinosa slotted it home off the left post making it 0-5 in the 60th minute. Alfonso Baldassarre made a fantastic save in the 64th minute, when Nico Paz sent off a good shot on target. Alfonso Baldassarre showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cai Espinosa in the 70th minute of the match. Cai Espinosa struck a weak shot in the 72nd minute. Alfonso Baldassarre didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Real Llull de Reus. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nico Paz in the 74th minute of play forced UNLIMITED's goalkeeper Alfonso Baldassarre to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Nico Paz could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 76th minute of the match, but Alfonso Baldassarre made a huge save. Cai Espinosa received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Alfonso Baldassarre came out and tried to block the shot, but Cai Espinosa slotted it home off the left post making it 0-6 in the 78th minute. Alfonso Baldassarre made a fantastic save in the 82nd minute, when Nico Paz sent off a good shot on target. Cai Espinosa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alfonso Baldassarre having to interfere. 90 minutes into the game, Cai Espinosa recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Alfonso Baldassarre. Cai Espinosa showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-7. Alfonso Baldassarre showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cai Espinosa, who was totally free with the ball in the 94th minute. If Nico Paz had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After some fancy dribbling in the 97th minute, Cai Espinosa managed to get in a good position for a shot. Real Llull de Reus's supporters rose to their feet, but Cai Espinosa was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Alfonso Baldassarre breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Real Llull de Reus played a much better game than UNLIMITED and deserved their victory. The UNLIMITED players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.