U18 World League

Monsterz Arena
Spectators: 7966 (Terracing: 5976, Seating: 1832, VIP seats: 158) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Eddie Flinck took the kick off in the first half of the match. 3 minutes into the match, Digital Monsterz FC's goal looked a bit too open when Apostol Gilev came free, but Bertil Skarkman reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Bertil Skarkman took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Apostol Gilev, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some fancy dribbling in the 14th minute, Apostol Gilev managed to get in a good position for a shot. Lokomotiv Plovdiv's supporters rose to their feet, but Apostol Gilev was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Bertil Skarkman breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. If Jens-Erik Giöck had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 20th minute, Bocho Nikolchev hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Ivan Ganchev in the 26th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Bertil Skarkman prevented the ball from getting in the gole. A collision led to Lokomotiv Plovdiv getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. Gavril Karandzhulov hit a great ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ivan Ganchev in the 36th minute of play forced Digital Monsterz FC's goalkeeper Bertil Skarkman to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The long shot by Ivar Berglund in the 40th minute really tested Evlogi Lukanov's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Apostol Gilev made a kick off. Bertil Skarkman stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Apostol Gilev's shot from short distance in the 53rd minute. The crowd rose to their feet as Ivan Ganchev kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Bertil Skarkman. That made the score 1-2 in the 59 minute of play. Ivan Ganchev's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Bertil Skarkman read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 63rd minute of play. Bertil Skarkman didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Apostol Gilev went, in the 65th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-3 was the resulting score. Lokomotiv Plovdiv's Apostol Gilev got a good chance for a goal in the 68th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 75 minutes into the game, Lyudmil Karadashki was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Lokomotiv Plovdiv's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Digital Monsterz FC the free kick. Lyudmil Karadashki hit a great freekick 76 minutes into the match. Apostol Gilev recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 78th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 80th minute, Sixten Åström 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. 94 minutes into the match, Digital Monsterz FC's goal looked a bit too open when Apostol Gilev came free, but Bertil Skarkman reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 96th match minute, Lokomotiv Plovdiv was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ivan Ganchev to maneuver through the defense. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Lokomotiv Plovdiv walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.