U21 World League

Vasile Bratianu
Spectators: 7565 (Terracing: 5675, Seating: 1739, VIP seats: 151) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Enrico Valeri got the match started through his kick off. In the 5thth minute of the game Jo Bag who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Squadra de Pippe's Alvise Colombi was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Enrico Valeri recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 11th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When Flavio Scalia came up free with the goalie in the 12th minute, the Squadra de Pippe 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 Flavio Scalia couldn't finish the play. After 16 played minutes Galati Harbour Cats got a freekick which was hit by Fabian Minculescu. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Enrico Valeri in the 17th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Manole Ghiondea prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When Jo Bag fell near the penalty area in the 18th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Galati Harbour Cats's protests and gave Jo Bag a yellow card for diving instead. Jo Bag hit a great freekick 18 minutes into the match. Anfilogino Gaeta hit a great freekick 19 minutes into the match. Manole Ghiondea made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Enrico Valeri in the 21st minute of play. After 24 minutes of play Galati Harbour Cats's Jo Bag was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. A collision led to Galati Harbour Cats getting a freekick after 24 minutes play. Jo Bag hit a great ball. When Flavio Scalia fell near the penalty area in the 28th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Squadra de Pippe's protests and gave Flavio Scalia a yellow card for diving instead. Manole Ghiondea showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Enrico Valeri in the 30th minute of the match. The audience was convinced that Enrico Valeri's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Manole Ghiondea was relentless in the 31st minute of the game. Enrico Valeri fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 41st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Manole Ghiondea having to interfere. Galati Harbour Cats's Manole Ghiondea played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Enrico Valeri in the 44th minute of play. In the 46th match minute, Squadra de Pippe was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Federico Nobile to maneuver through the defense. Filip Mavrogheni shot from long distance in the 47th minute, but Alvise Colombi was prepared and stopped the ball at the left post. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Sebastian Andone was the one to do the kick off. 52 minutes into the match, Squadra de Pippe's goal looked a bit too open when Panait Acalinei came free, but Alvise Colombi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Galati Harbour Cats's Sabin Zbârnea pulled a muscle in his back after 52 minutes and couldn't finish the game. In the 54th minute, Flavio Scalia hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Alvise Colombi showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Basarab Zdroană in the 56th minute of the match. In the 58th minute, Basarab Zdroană made a precise shot to the right of Alvise Colombi. Squadra de Pippe's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. An unexpectedly hard shot by Basarab Zdroană in the 62nd minute of play forced Squadra de Pippe's goalkeeper Alvise Colombi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Anfilogino Gaeta had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 64th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Galati Harbour Cats's Iustin Neagoe got a free kick in the 69th minute. If Frank Preda had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 77th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Enrico Valeri sent away a hard shot on goal in the 78th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Alvise Colombi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Basarab Zdroană, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Galati Harbour Cats's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.