U18 World League

Stadium of Mercy
Spectators: 7953 (Terracing: 5966, Seating: 1829, VIP seats: 158) Leopoldo Sanches started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. A hard shot 5 in the game by Marko Norström from a close distance when the talented Gianluigi Donnarumma managed to make a qualified save. S.E.R. Caxias do Sul's players were relieved. A hard shot 7 in the game by Marko Norström from a close distance when the talented Gianluigi Donnarumma managed to make a qualified save. S.E.R. Caxias do Sul's players were relieved. Karl-Erik Kihlman showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Leopoldo Sanches, who was totally free with the ball in the 12th minute. When S.E.R. Caxias do Sul's Leopoldo Sanches in the 17th minute got a chance for a shot 17th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Brothers of Mercy's goalie prevented a goal. Karl-Erik Kihlman showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Leopoldo Sanches in the 19th minute of the match. S.E.R. Caxias do Sul were awarded a corner in the 20th minute after Brothers of Mercy's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Gabriel França took the corner. Gianluigi Donnarumma showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Svante Pihlgren in the 24th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Svante Pihlgren in the 29th minute of play forced S.E.R. Caxias do Sul's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 31 minutes, Leopoldo Sanches managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. S.E.R. Caxias do Sul's supporters crossed their fingers, but Leopoldo Sanches was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Anders Svenssons short, quick shot in the 34thth minute got Gianluigi Donnarumma to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Túlio Negri's late challenge caught a Brothers of Mercy's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Túlio Negri helped the player get up and apologised. In the 46th match minute, S.E.R. Caxias do Sul was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Túlio Negri to maneuver through the defense. Anders Svensson charged in rather forcefully in the 48th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Anders Svensson the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Brothers of Mercy's Anders Svensson got a free kick in the 48th minute. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Svante Pihlgren was the one to do the kick off. 54 minutes into the match, S.E.R. Caxias do Sul's goal looked a bit too open when Tobias Forssberg came free, but Gianluigi Donnarumma reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Anders Svensson recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 57th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 63rd minute, Anders Svensson got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. With a little luck, Brothers of Mercy's Karl-Erik Kihlman got control of the ball when Leopoldo Sanches tried to sneak it across the goal line. S.E.R. Caxias do Sul's Leopoldo Sanches suffered a concussion after 73 minutes and had to leave the field. Jan Sundström charged in rather forcefully in the 73rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Jan Sundström the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. S.E.R. Caxias do Sul's João Carlos Gaspar was substituted for Leopoldo Sanches. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 72nd minute of the game. One of Brothers of Mercy:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of S.E.R. Caxias do Sul:s goal. Karl-Erik Kihlman had in the 76thth minute some difficulties stopping Gabriel França's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. 76 minutes into the game, Gabriel França cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Karl-Erik Kihlman was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. When the match clock showed 78 minutes, the score became 2-1 when Svante Pihlgren sped through S.E.R. Caxias do Sul's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The supporters of Brothers of Mercy booed when S.E.R. Caxias do Sul was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 89 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luizão Prata didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 98th minute Svante Pihlgren shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Gianluigi Donnarumma saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Brothers of Mercy's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.