U23 World League

Gerena
Spectators: 7649 (Terracing: 5738, Seating: 1759, VIP seats: 152) Andrea Banana made an important save on a dangerous shot by Violet Skachkov in the 3rd minute. 6 minutes into the game, Violet Skachkov recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Andrea Banana. Violet Skachkov showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. After 8 minutes, Alexey Spahiyski mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the FC Old Dogs United and the Alba FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 8th match minute, FC Old Dogs United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alexey Spahiyski to maneuver through the defense. Donato Amatori blasted a shot towards the goal in the 10th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Anastas Merazchiev having to make a save. Yane Donkovski received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 16th minute. Andrea Banana tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 21 minutes into the match, Yane Donkovski had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Andrea Banana. Alba FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Yane Donkovski was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-0. Andrea Banana showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Antonio Di Fabrizio in the 24th minute of the match. Stayko Pavlikyanov received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Andrea Banana came out and tried to block the shot, but Stayko Pavlikyanov slotted it home off the left post making it 4-0 in the 26th minute. Alba FC's Andrea Banana proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 37th minute of the match, managed to save Alba FC from getting a goal against them. 40 minutes into the game, Yane Donkovski cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 5-0. Andrea Banana was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. 45 minutes into the match, Alba FC's goalkeeper Andrea Banana had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Stayko Pavlikyanov. Federico Di Iorio fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Anastas Merazchiev having to interfere. 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. Donato Amatori was the one to do the kick off. Donato Amatori sent away a hard shot on goal in the 52nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 55 minutes into the match, Alba FC's goal looked a bit too open when Stayko Pavlikyanov came free, but Andrea Banana reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Andrea Banana came out of the goal in the 57th minute to try and stop a shot by FC Old Dogs United's Yane Donkovski. But to his dismay, Yane Donkovski quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 6-0. After 61 played minutes FC Old Dogs United got a freekick which was hit by Preslav Alyakov. After having played for 62 minutes, Andrea Iannotti managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Alba FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Andrea Iannotti was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 65th minute Violet Skachkov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Andrea Banana saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 69th minute, Violet Skachkov made a precise shot to the right of Andrea Banana. Alba FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 7-0. Andrea Banana took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gabriel Nanev, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 79 played minutes Alba FC got a freekick which was hit by Domenico Giocondo. 81 minutes into the match, Alba FC's goal looked a bit too open when Stayko Pavlikyanov came free, but Andrea Banana reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alba FC's Andrea Banana played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Stayko Pavlikyanov in the 86th minute of play. Federico Di Iorio in the 90thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Anastas Merazchiev, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Andrea Banana showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Violet Skachkov in the 92nd minute of the match. 94 minutes into the match, Yane Donkovski had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Andrea Banana. Alba FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Yane Donkovski was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 8-0. FC Old Dogs United walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.