U23 World League

Black Crow
Spectators: 7511 (Terracing: 5634, Seating: 1727, VIP seats: 150) Pagos FC's Alekos Papachristou 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. Per-Olof Kihlberg took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alekos Papachristou, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Pagos FC were awarded a corner in the 6th minute after FORTALEZA's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Eleftherios Karakotsos took the corner. Eleftherios Karakotsos made a great header on Pagos FC's corner, it was just that FORTALEZA's Per-Olof Kihlberg managed to reach the ball for a save. Per-Olof Kihlberg showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Giorgos Tsiabras in the 7th minute of the match. A nice corner shot did that Eleftherios Karakotsos got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Per-Olof Kihlberg quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. 11 minutes into the match, FORTALEZA's goal looked a bit too open when Alekos Papachristou came free, but Per-Olof Kihlberg reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The corner led Pagos FC's Tasos Staikos to fire away a dangerous shot which Per-Olof Kihlberg despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After 16 played minutes FORTALEZA got a freekick which was hit by Nikita Omarov. In the 17th minute, Alekos Papachristou ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Per-Olof Kihlberg was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. Per-Olof Kihlberg made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alekos Papachristou in the 19th minute of play. After 21 played minutes FORTALEZA got a freekick which was hit by Nikita Omarov. After a defensive mix-up in FORTALEZA's zone, Alekos Papachristou stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Per-Olof Kihlberg came out of the goal and Alekos Papachristou tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A collision led to FORTALEZA getting a freekick after 27 minutes play. Pavel Serada hit a great ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Alekos Papachristou in the 28th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Per-Olof Kihlberg saved FORTALEZA from getting behind. 29 minutes into the match, Giorgos Tsiabras notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of FORTALEZA's Per-Olof Kihlberg. Per-Olof Kihlberg was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Per-Olof Kihlberg stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Alekos Papachristou's shot from short distance in the 34th minute. When the match clock showed 34 minutes, the score became 0-3 when Alekos Papachristou sped through FORTALEZA's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Per-Olof Kihlberg. In the 37th minute Fanis Papafanopoulos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Per-Olof Kihlberg saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Per-Olof Kihlberg made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alekos Papachristou in the 38th minute of play. Eleftherios Karakotsos sent away a hard shot on goal in the 40th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-3 lead.

In the 54th minute of the game Manolis Nikologiannis made a throw-in which Fanis Papafanopoulos played forward. The supporters of FORTALEZA booed when Pagos FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Kostas Karalexopoulos didn't get a good kick on the ball. 70 minutes into the match, FORTALEZA's goal looked a bit too open when Alekos Papachristou came free, but Per-Olof Kihlberg reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When the match had gone on for 77 minutes, Alekos Papachristou put it in 0-5 from a short distance just to the right of Per-Olof Kihlberg. Telis Valsaris sent away a hard shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 87 minutes into the game, Alekos Papachristou recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Per-Olof Kihlberg. Alekos Papachristou showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-6. Babbis Kretinos took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nikita Omarov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Alekos Papachristou might have been able to make a better finish in the 94th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Per-Olof Kihlberg. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Alekos Papachristou ran back to his position shaking his head. Pagos FC's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.