U21 League

Folkrola Arena
Spectators: 174 (Terracing: 131, Seating: 40, VIP seats: 3) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Dominik Sauerberg took the kick off in the first half of the match. Veselko Recko took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andres Ambühl, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Bore Ristič kicked well hit freekick during the 10th minute of the match. Veselko Recko made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dominik Sauerberg in the 11th minute of play. In the 12th match minute, Espen Steelers was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Janis Moser to maneuver through the defense. Akira Schmid had in the 14thth minute some difficulties stopping Slavoljub Bukovec's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. Raphael Aregger kicked well hit freekick during the 14th minute of the match. 16 minutes into the match, Dominik Sauerberg had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Veselko Recko. NK FOLKROLA's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Dominik Sauerberg was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vidko Bižal in the 24th minute of play forced Espen Steelers's goalkeeper Akira Schmid to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dominik Sauerberg struck a weak shot in the 26th minute. Veselko Recko didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Espen Steelers. The audience was convinced that Andres Ambühl's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Veselko Recko was relentless in the 28th minute of the game. Fabian Schär sent away a hard shot on goal in the 31st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 33rd match minute, Espen Steelers was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fabian Schär to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Espen Steelers's Fabian Schär got a free kick in the 34th minute. If Andres Ambühl had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 44 minutes into the match, NK FOLKROLA's goal looked a bit too open when Dominik Sauerberg came free, but Veselko Recko reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 47 played minutes Espen Steelers got a freekick which was hit by Berthold Boller. After the first half Espen Steelers were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Vidko Bižal was the one to do the kick off. Fabian Schärs short, quick shot in the 52ndth minute got Veselko Recko to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. After 53 minutes NK FOLKROLA's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Gaetano Rothstein who took care of the corner kick. Nasan Drobnjaković hit a great freekick 54 minutes into the match. Fabian Schär recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 58th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Espen Steelers's Fabian Schär got a good chance for a goal in the 63rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. NK FOLKROLA's Veselko Recko played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Dominik Sauerberg in the 66th minute of play. NK FOLKROLA's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Dominik Sauerberg 67 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 0-3. In the 75th minute Bore Ristič shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Akira Schmid saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Andres Ambühl had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Bore Ristič charged in rather forcefully in the 80th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Bore Ristič the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 80th match minute, NK FOLKROLA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Bore Ristič to maneuver through the defense. Veselko Recko made a fantastic save in the 81st minute, when Andres Ambühl sent off a good shot on target. If Freeman Mächler had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 83rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Fabian Schär fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Veselko Recko having to interfere. Veselko Recko took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Freeman Mächler, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Akira Schmid made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bore Ristič in the 94th minute of play. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Espen Steelers walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.