U21 World League

GENTI KULE
Spectators: 7555 (Terracing: 5729, Seating: 1756, VIP seats: 70) Giannis Tzanetos made the kick off and thus started the match. Theofanis Marinakis showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Eliseu Linhares, who was totally free with the ball in the 3rd minute. Arí Mangueira fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 4th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Theofanis Marinakis having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 7th minute, Arí Mangueira managed to get in a good position for a shot. Xurupita FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Arí Mangueira was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Theofanis Marinakis breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eliseu Linhares in the 10th minute of play forced ΟΦΗ's goalkeeper Theofanis Marinakis to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Xurupita FC's Nico Abraão played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Fanis Kokkinopoulos in the 16th minute of play. 18 minutes into the match, Giannis Tzanetos notched a goal, 1-0, to the right of Xurupita FC's Nico Abraão. Nico Abraão was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. When Nikos Kalkavouras fell near the penalty area in the 20th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored ΟΦΗ's protests and gave Nikos Kalkavouras a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, ΟΦΗ's Nikos Kalkavouras got a free kick in the 20th minute. In the 24th match minute, ΟΦΗ was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ilias Lazanas to maneuver through the defense. Eliseu Linhares received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 30th minute. Theofanis Marinakis tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Theofanis Marinakis showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Sebastião Barros in the 31st minute of the match. ΟΦΗ's Theofanis Marinakis played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Eliseu Linhares in the 38th minute of play. Nico Abraão made a fantastic save in the 40th minute, when Giannis Tzanetos sent off a good shot on target. Belmiro Paraíba hit a great freekick 42 minutes into the match. In the 44th minute, Arí Mangueira 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. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Arí Mangueira made a kick off. Belmiro Paraíba's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Theofanis Marinakis read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 57th minute of play. Eliseu Linhares charged in rather forcefully in the 62nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Eliseu Linhares the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 62 played minutes Xurupita FC got a freekick which was hit by Eliseu Linhares. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Giannis Tzanetos in the 73rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Nico Abraão prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Belmiro Paraíba hit a great freekick 80 minutes into the match. Chatziioannou Liadelis hit a great freekick 84 minutes into the match. A collision led to Xurupita FC getting a freekick after 89 minutes play. José Paulo Cardozo hit a great ball. Nico Abraão took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Giannis Tzanetos, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ilias Lazanas charged in rather forcefully in the 96th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Ilias Lazanas the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. ΟΦΗ had played much better football throughout.