U23 World League

Letzigrund
Spectators: 7520 (Terracing: 5641, Seating: 1729, VIP seats: 150) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Carlos Dufresne got the match started through his kick off. The audience thought a goal was coming when Elia Vonrotz got free with Isac Spirea in the 8th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Carlos Dufresne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Carlos Dufresne in the 17th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Isac Spirea prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When Emilian Râznicu fell near the penalty area in the 17th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Phoenix Strikers's protests and gave Emilian Râznicu a yellow card for diving instead. 18 minutes into the game, FC Stadtclub's Carlos Dufresne nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Isac Spirea made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. Anton Păun 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. Carlos Dufresne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 24th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Yannick Walpert hit a great freekick 25 minutes into the match. Alkestis Stasinopoulos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Anton Păun in the 26th minute of play. 26 minutes into the match, Anton Păun notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of FC Stadtclub's Alkestis Stasinopoulos. Alkestis Stasinopoulos was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Anton Păun sent away a hard shot on goal in the 29th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 35th minute the ball was on its way in behind Phoenix Strikers's goalkeeper Isac Spirea, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Horaţiu Dinulescu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 39th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alkestis Stasinopoulos having to interfere. A collision led to FC Stadtclub getting a freekick after 40 minutes play. Michael Hottiger hit a great ball. Anton Păun recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 41st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 44th minute, Cazimir Ceaușu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Isac Spirea was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Yannick Walpert showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-1 in the 46 minute of play. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Horaţiu Dinulescu was the one to do the kick off. Isac Spirea came out of the goal in the 52nd minute to try and stop a shot by FC Stadtclub's Carlos Dufresne. But to his dismay, Carlos Dufresne quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-1. 57 minutes into the game, Romero Affolter was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. FC Stadtclub's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Phoenix Strikers the free kick. Yannick Walpert received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 60th minute. Isac Spirea tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The referee felt a red card was in order, 61 minutes into the game, when Ioan Cozma put in a rough tackle. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Carlos Dufresne in the 67th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Isac Spirea saved Phoenix Strikers from getting behind. Isac Spirea took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Carlos Dufresne, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Gheorghe Dorineanu kicked well hit freekick during the 72nd minute of the match. Phoenix Strikers's Isac Spirea played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Carlos Dufresne in the 77th minute of play. Isac Spirea took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Yannick Walpert, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 84th minute, Federico Wagner hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Elia Vonrotz came up free with the goalie in the 86th minute, the FC Stadtclub 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 Elia Vonrotz couldn't finish the play. Isac Spirea stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Carlos Dufresne's shot from short distance in the 88th minute. In the 94th minute Toto Toto shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alkestis Stasinopoulos saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Yannick Walpert came up free with the goalie in the 96th minute, the FC Stadtclub 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 Yannick Walpert couldn't finish the play. When the referee ended the match the FC Stadtclub players were able to celebrate. They had won a fair victory and recieved the ovations of their fans.