U23 World League

ALEXANDRIA ARENA
Spectators: 7696 (Terracing: 5773, Seating: 1770, VIP seats: 153) Armageddon's Elari Lõoke 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. Peeter Nurk made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Adrian Spirea in the 6th minute of play. 8 minutes into the game, Ken Koppel cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Laurențiu Popescu was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Armageddon's Peeter Nurk proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 14th minute of the match, managed to save Armageddon from getting a goal against them. Peeter Nurk made an important save on a dangerous shot by Manuel Amânaloae in the 15th minute. Manuel Amânaloae's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Peeter Nurk firmly grabbed it by the left post. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vello Vitt in the 18th minute of play forced Alexandria Team08's goalkeeper Laurențiu Popescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Armageddon's Peeter Nurk proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 20th minute of the match, managed to save Armageddon from getting a goal against them. The crowd rose to their feet as Alexandria Team08's Bogdan Goma slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Peeter Nurk. That made the score 1-1 after 26 minutes of play. In the 30th minute, Adrian Spirea ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Peeter Nurk was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-1. 33 minutes into the match, Alexandria Team08's goal looked a bit too open when Vello Vitt came free, but Laurențiu Popescu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 34 minutes had been played when some careless play by Alexandria Team08's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Vello Vitt was slow to take the kick. During this time Armageddon's players had a chance to rest. Armageddon's Vello Vitt was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Laurențiu Popescu in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Armageddon's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Vello Vitt in the 35th minute. Vello Vitt made a great header on Armageddon's corner, it was just that Alexandria Team08's Laurențiu Popescu managed to reach the ball for a save. Armageddon's Peeter Nurk played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Manuel Amânaloae in the 42nd minute of play. Alexandria Team08's Laurențiu Popescu played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vello Vitt in the 46th minute of play. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-1 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Manuel Amânaloae was the one to do the kick off. If Travis Trump had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 51st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Peeter Nurk stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Bogdan Goma's shot from short distance in the 54th minute. Marcu Bilașco's late challenge caught a Armageddon's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Marcu Bilașco helped the player get up and apologised. In the 55th match minute, Alexandria Team08 was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marcu Bilașco to maneuver through the defense. When Adrian Spirea fell near the penalty area in the 56th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Alexandria Team08's protests and gave Adrian Spirea a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Armageddon booed when Alexandria Team08 was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 56 match minutes in a wonderful position. Adrian Spirea didn't get a good kick on the ball. Asso Vilep hit a great freekick 58 minutes into the match. If Bogdan Goma had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Travis Trump recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 62nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 63rd minute, Travis Trump managed to get in a good position for a shot. Armageddon's supporters rose to their feet, but Travis Trump was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Laurențiu Popescu breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 74 played minutes Armageddon got a freekick which was hit by Asso Vilep. An unexpectedly hard shot by Manuel Amânaloae in the 74th minute of play forced Armageddon's goalkeeper Peeter Nurk to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Laurențiu Popescu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Elari Lõoke in the 76th minute of play. Peeter Nurk didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Manuel Amânaloae went, in the 77th minute, to the upper right corner, 3-1 was the resulting score. A hard shot 81 in the game by Elari Lõoke from a close distance when the talented Laurențiu Popescu managed to make a qualified save. Alexandria Team08's players were relieved. Vello Vitt received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 85th minute. Laurențiu Popescu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 89 minutes into the match, Alexandria Team08's goalkeeper Laurențiu Popescu had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Elari Lõoke. Alexandria Team08's Laurențiu Popescu proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 89th minute of the match, managed to save Alexandria Team08 from getting a goal against them. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Alexandria Team08 fans cheered their team off the field, for while Armageddon had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.