U18 World League

Aaron Jerrald
Spectators: 7528 (Terracing: 5647, Seating: 1731, VIP seats: 150) The Skates's Rickard Håning 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. Ciriaco Veronica took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rickard Håning, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 15 minutes into the game, Eloy Oxarra recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Osvald Albom. Eloy Oxarra showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-1. 18 minutes into the match, Eloy Oxarra dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Osvald Albom, 2-1. 25 minutes into the match, The Skates's goal looked a bit too open when Luis Ekhi came free, but Osvald Albom reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 26 minutes into the match, Jan-Olof Fågel had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ciriaco Veronica. Los Delfines's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Jan-Olof Fågel was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-2. Los Delfines's Ciriaco Veronica played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rickard Håning in the 30th minute of play. In the 30th minute Rickard Håning shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ciriaco Veronica saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 31st minute, Rosendo Michael hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Osvald Albom made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Celestino Hats in the 35th minute of play. Los Delfines's Ciriaco Veronica played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jan-Olof Fågel in the 36th minute of play. With a little luck, The Skates's Osvald Albom got control of the ball when Celestino Hats tried to sneak it across the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Eloy Oxarra got free with Osvald Albom in the 48th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 3-2.

The wind increased when Eloy Oxarra made the kick off in the second half. In the 51st match minute, The Skates was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sven-Åke Backlund to maneuver through the defense. After 58 played minutes Los Delfines got a freekick which was hit by Fidel Dimas. Fidel Dimas lost his temper 66 minutes into the game and shoved another player to the ground. He was immediately shown a red card. 72 minutes into the match, The Skates's goal looked a bit too open when Eloy Oxarra came free, but Osvald Albom reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alejandro Illan scored 4-4 in the 75th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Osvald Albom, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Claes Wennersten came free with the goalkeeper in the 78th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Ciriaco Veronica could save by the left post. A collision led to Los Delfines getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Cayetano Ledesma hit a great ball. Osvald Albom showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alejandro Illan, who was totally free with the ball in the 87th minute. After 89 minutes of play, The Skates's Claes Wennersten made it 4-5 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Ciriaco Veronica was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 94th minute Rickard Håning shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ciriaco Veronica saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 94 minutes, Alejandro Illan mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Los Delfines and the The Skates players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 95 played minutes Los Delfines got a freekick which was hit by Alejandro Illan. Los Delfines's Ciriaco Veronica proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 97th minute of the match, managed to save Los Delfines from getting a goal against them. When the final whistle sounded The Skates left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Los Delfines.