U21 World League

Qemal Stafa
Spectators: 7732 (Terracing: 5800, Seating: 1778, VIP seats: 154) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Prodromos Koufos got the match started through his kick off. Apostolis Nafpliotis kicked well hit freekick during the 10th minute of the match. In the 15th match minute, GREEN LIONS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Thanos Katsafanas to maneuver through the defense. Roman Wodaszak kicked well hit freekick during the 19th minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Prodromos Koufos in the 20th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Branden Shelton saved K.F TIRANA from getting behind. Paco Cano sent away a hard shot on goal in the 22nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 32 played minutes K.F TIRANA got a freekick which was hit by Roman Wodaszak. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Sakis Kaberis during the 33rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of K.F TIRANA booed when GREEN LIONS was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 33 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sakis Kaberis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Paco Cano scored 1-1 in the 34th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Antonis Maltezos, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After 36 played minutes K.F TIRANA got a freekick which was hit by Endri Caci. The supporters of K.F TIRANA booed when GREEN LIONS was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 39 match minutes in a wonderful position. Iakovos Koutsoubis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Paco Cano in the 41stth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Antonis Maltezos, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. The audience thought a goal was coming when Paco Cano got free with Antonis Maltezos in the 42nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Paco Cano made a kick off. Branden Shelton showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Prodromos Koufos, who was totally free with the ball in the 51st minute. GREEN LIONS's Prodromos Koufos was standing unmarked in front of the goal when he, in the 54th play minute, got the ball and easily drilled it into the goal. A collision led to K.F TIRANA getting a freekick after 56 minutes play. Paco Cano hit a great ball. In the 58th match minute, GREEN LIONS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sakis Kaberis to maneuver through the defense. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Prodromos Koufos in the 62nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Branden Shelton saved K.F TIRANA from getting behind. In the 63rd match minute, GREEN LIONS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Makis Liras to maneuver through the defense. 64 minutes into the match, GREEN LIONS's goal looked a bit too open when Paco Cano came free, but Antonis Maltezos reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Iakovos Koutsoubis during the 64th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Paco Cano's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Antonis Maltezos read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 65th minute of play. In the 69th minute Paco Cano shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Antonis Maltezos saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to K.F TIRANA getting a freekick after 70 minutes play. Paco Cano hit a great ball. After having played for 72 minutes, Sakis Kaberis managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. GREEN LIONS's supporters crossed their fingers, but Sakis Kaberis was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Sakis Kaberis kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. 74 minutes into the match, Wincenty Roman had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Antonis Maltezos. GREEN LIONS's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Wincenty Roman was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-2. Elvis Durollari hit a great freekick 77 minutes into the match. In the 82nd minute Paco Cano shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Antonis Maltezos saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Branden Shelton was out of position in the 85 minute of play, and Sakis Kaberis capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Sakis Kaberis really showed his touch with that goal: 2-3. After some fancy dribbling in the 89th minute, Wincenty Roman managed to get in a good position for a shot. K.F TIRANA's supporters rose to their feet, but Wincenty Roman was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Antonis Maltezos breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Paco Cano in the 91st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Antonis Maltezos saved GREEN LIONS from getting behind. When GREEN LIONS's Prodromos Koufos in the 92nd minute got a chance for a shot 92nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye K.F TIRANA's goalie prevented a goal. If Paco Cano had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 94th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When the match was over GREEN LIONS could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than K.F TIRANA throughout the match.