Game 5 - Sweating with the Swedes

After a long walking tour of Ravenna, our guys return to the Stadium for their 5th Game start time –5:15. The Swedes came in donning red/black, we wore white/red. Our starting line-up for today’s match:

Goalie: Evan
Defenders: Jason (right), Chris, Tommy, Brodie (left)
Midfield: Max, Ben, Dani, Denis
Strikers: Garrett, Jamie

This Swedes are currently in 2nd place in the tournament and had already played a game today. We did not know the outcome of their first game, so two losses for them today would help us get closer to a 3rd place tournament finish. Hopefully, they will be a little tired from the earlier game. We definitely had the run of play in their half for most of the game. 13 minutes in, Italian Dani sends the ball across the goal-mouth and Jaime, running into the 6, puts away a very easy goal. 1-0 us.

5 minutes later, Jason moving toward goal from right to left, takes it inside the 18, past a defender, then passes it to our Italian Dani who hit the back right side net. Score!!! 2-0 us. Half-time

Start of the half sees Coach putting in new players: Stephen Thiringer in goal, Steven Logan at left halfback, Matthew T in at right back replacing Brodie, Jamie, and Evan. 2 minutes in the Swedes score on a cross from the left side of the 18. Rut-ro... The Swedish coaches must have given a very decisive peptalk during the half because the Swedes have stepped their speed of play and physicality. 2-1 us.

Ben wins a header in the middle of the field, and luckily lands on the right foot of Dani who immediately passes to Denis running at full speed toward the goal. He takes on a defender who tries to take him down, but Denis acrobatically jumps over the sliding defender. Keeping his composure; he takes several more touches then sends the ball into the net. 3-1 us.

Quick long ball from the backfield produces an exciting breakaway by our speedy Italians. Multiple beautiful give and gos are witnessed until the Italians Dani finally score. 4-1 us. (Whew, for a while there it looked like the tide was turning in the Swedes favor.)

Games over we WIN!!!! 4-1 us. Well-done boys, man of the match – Italian Dani.