U23 World League

ARENA MINEIRA
Spectators: 7500 (Terracing: 5625, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 150) COURO COME FC's Ulisses da Mata 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Hélio Furtado in the 3rd minute of play forced Barrikako Herensugeak F.C's goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 5th minute Michel Hervé shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but José Maria Pontes saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. José Maria Pontes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Michel Hervé, who was totally free with the ball in the 8th minute. In the 10th minute Jokin Bernal shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but José Maria Pontes saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Iratxo Crespo in the 11th minute of play forced COURO COME FC's goalkeeper José Maria Pontes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Iratxo Crespo's late challenge caught a COURO COME FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Iratxo Crespo helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Barrikako Herensugeak F.C getting a freekick after 16 minutes play. Iratxo Crespo hit a great ball. 1-0 became the score in the 19th minute when Emirhan Sultani elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. With a little luck, Barrikako Herensugeak F.C's Erik Thorstvedt got control of the ball when Ulisses da Mata tried to sneak it across the goal line. Erik Thorstvedt made a fantastic save in the 24th minute, when Nando Ceresso sent off a good shot on target. When Aadu Uluk fell near the penalty area in the 25th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Barrikako Herensugeak F.C's protests and gave Aadu Uluk a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Barrikako Herensugeak F.C's Aadu Uluk got a free kick in the 25th minute. Erik Thorstvedt made a fantastic save in the 27th minute, when Ulisses da Mata sent off a good shot on target. Erik Thorstvedt showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Bata Palma in the 33rd minute of the match. Emirhan Sultani fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 35th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Erik Thorstvedt having to interfere. 39 minutes into the game, Barrikako Herensugeak F.C's Iratxo Crespo nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. José Maria Pontes made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. After 41 played minutes COURO COME FC got a freekick which was hit by Álvaro Neiva. Bruninho Rodrigues hit a great freekick 42 minutes into the match. José Maria Pontes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jokin Bernal, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 45th minute, Emirhan Sultani ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Erik Thorstvedt was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-2. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Jokin Bernal to make the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bata Palma in the 55th minute of play forced Barrikako Herensugeak F.C's goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Erik Thorstvedt showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Emirhan Sultani in the 58th minute of the match. After 59 played minutes Barrikako Herensugeak F.C got a freekick which was hit by Pepe Galnares. Erik Thorstvedt didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Emirhan Sultani went, in the 60th minute, to the upper right corner, 3-2 was the resulting score. Vitor Cambero hit a great freekick 67 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Barrikako Herensugeak F.C's zone, Emirhan Sultani stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Erik Thorstvedt came out of the goal and Emirhan Sultani tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 70 minutes of play, COURO COME FC's Bata Palma made it 4-3 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Erik Thorstvedt was left in no man's land by his defense there! José Maria Pontes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Etxahun Olmos, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 77 minutes into the game, Michel Hervé cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 4-4. José Maria Pontes was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Barrikako Herensugeak F.C's Unax Ondategui was substituted for Jokin Bernal. Erik Thorstvedt took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nando Ceresso, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Through an outstanding action, after 83 minutes, José Maria Pontes successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ulisses da Mata in the 85th minute of play forced Barrikako Herensugeak F.C's goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Etxahun Olmos could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 86th minute of the match, but José Maria Pontes made a huge save. Erik Thorstvedt showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Bata Palma, who was totally free with the ball in the 88th minute. In the 89th match minute, COURO COME FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cleiton Severo to maneuver through the defense. COURO COME FC made a substitution. Duarte Mineiro replaced Emirhan Sultani. Cleiton Severo kicked well hit freekick during the 90th minute of the match. Vitor Cambero might have been able to make a better finish in the 91st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over José Maria Pontes. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Vitor Cambero ran back to his position shaking his head. The audience thought a goal was coming when Etxahun Olmos got free with José Maria Pontes in the 94th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. With a little luck, COURO COME FC's José Maria Pontes got control of the ball when Unax Ondategui tried to sneak it across the goal line. COURO COME FC were unable to convert their possession into goals, allowing Barrikako Herensugeak F.C to leave the ground with a draw.