U18 World League

Theatre of Dreams
Spectators: 7737 (Terracing: 5804, Seating: 1779, VIP seats: 154) Roncourt's Antoine Gambier 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. The supporters of Pryaporets booed when Roncourt was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 3 match minutes in a wonderful position. Antoine Gambier didn't get a good kick on the ball. Gabriel Messager made an important save on a dangerous shot by Zhelyo Tzingilev in the 7th minute. Krasimir Gradishki took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Romuald Hugonnet, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jean-Pierre Riche in the 12th minute of play forced Pryaporets's goalkeeper Krasimir Gradishki to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 12th minute, Ikonom Gopov hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With a little luck, Roncourt's Gabriel Messager got control of the ball when Sevdalin Palatov tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 21st minute Romuald Hugonnet shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Krasimir Gradishki saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Krasimir Gradishki took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Romuald Hugonnet, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Boyan Yonov hit a great freekick 26 minutes into the match. After 27 played minutes, Roncourt's Hubert Donnet shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Krasimir Gradishki came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Roncourt reached it. Krasimir Gradishki made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Romuald Hugonnet in the 33rd minute of play. In the 44th match minute, Pryaporets was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Valeri Durov to maneuver through the defense. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Pryaporets made a substitution. Simo Morfov replaced Antoni Kotov. The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Zhelyo Tzingilev stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 56 minutes into the game, Romuald Hugonnet recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Krasimir Gradishki. Romuald Hugonnet showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-1. Gabriel Messager showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Valentin Gúrkov in the 59th minute of the match. Krasimir Gradishki made an important save on a dangerous shot by Hubert Donnet in the 63rd minute. After 65 played minutes Pryaporets got a freekick which was hit by Nikola Chavorski. In the 66th match minute, Pryaporets was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nikola Chavorski to maneuver through the defense. Pryaporets's Krasimir Gradishki proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 68th minute of the match, managed to save Pryaporets from getting a goal against them. Valentin Gúrkov struck a weak shot in the 71st minute. Gabriel Messager didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Pryaporets. In the 73rd match minute, Roncourt was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Brendan Playe to maneuver through the defense. Gyuro Gúrdanov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Gabriel Messager read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 73rd minute of play. In the 82nd minute, Roncourt's Jean-Pierre Riche ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Krasimir Gradishki. Krasimir Gradishki yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 0-2. When Gyuro Gúrdanov came up free with the goalie in the 94th minute, the Pryaporets fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Gyuro Gúrdanov couldn't finish the play. The Roncourt supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Roncourt would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.