Belgium 5-1 England

England looked like shipping a heavy defeat today when they conceded some early goals but they steadied themselves, snatched a goal, threatened to come back and went home with a decent scoreline.

Antony scored early on, Julian hit the post when he should have scored and Antony added two more. Daniel missed a couple of chances, Julian scored to make it 4-0. Matilde and Mia combined well to pull one goal back; Daniel made it 5-1. Great game from Virginia in goal and Annie in defence; good three-touch play from the Belgians.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Virginia 4, Anthony 3, Daniel 3, Alex 3, Elias F 1, Michelangelo 1, Matilde 1, Jerry 1, Ameli 1, Annie 1, Gabeen 1, Mia 1 

RISA league, u14

SGBIS1 4-1 Ambrit

A very bad start for Ambrit in their first game vs SGFA 1. We were down 1-0 in the first 5 min of the Match. Ambrit's numerous shots saw no goals until Giuseppe dribbled from defense up the midfield and scored a phenomenal goal for 1-1.

Ambrit continued to preasure St. Georges, with Lapo and Aden playing in midfield. Ambrit took more shots but the goalie saved them all. St. Georges took advantage of a tired Ambrit and managed to score three more goals ending in 4-1.

Ambrit 4-1 Marymount 

After reorganizing the team, Ambrit went on to take marymount with confidence. It was an Aden and Manfredi show in the first five minutes, with Aden scoring our first goal from an assist by Manfredi. Aden returned the favour minutes later with an assist to Manfredi for 2-0. Not having to defend, Alessandro moved up to help in attack with a great header from a corner but hit the post.

Lapo saw an opportunity and got a hold of the ball and without hesitating took the shot: 3-0.

Ambrit continued to pressure marymount until the end, with Manfredi scroring another goal.

Ambrit 8-0 SGFA3

Our final game started, with Ambrit coming close with shot after shot. Unable to score, Alessandro again moved up to help in attack. On his first opportunity, he took a great shot to the goal

only to see it rebound of the post but luckily Manfredi was there for the rebound for an easy shot in goal. A bad goal kick from st. georges saw Ambrit take possession of the ball, quick passes between Lapo and Aden took them to the goal with Lapo scoring 2-0. St. Georges stood no chance: Ambrit wanted to win this game after losing to the first team. Manfredi's hat trick had Ambrit up by 5 goals. Alessandro wanting to get in on the action moved up to score his first goal. By the end of the game Manfedi and Lapo scored two more goals to make it 8-0.

ANSPI u13, aspiranti: Casaletto 1-4 Ambrit

Another Win for the runaway league leaders!

Ambrit faced a tough challenge in the game versus Casaletto. Playing in unfamiliar grounds and on a smaller pitch, the team had to learn to play play five on five. Ambrit quickly adopted to the 2-1-1 formation and played solidly until they saw an opportunity to score. Leaving Elias behind, Joel went to help Pietro and Alex to our first goal. Alex went on to score a second goal right after leaving us to concentrate on our defense.

In the second period the first team was subbed by Giorgio, Ludovico, Tommaso and Giacomo. A tense game but Ambrit stood their ground, letting Casaletto know that they were here for the win. Amazing saves by our captain of the match, Eric, helped Ambrit through the second period by guiding the defense in tough, intense second period.

In the third period Ambrit continued to concentrate in defending and moved up only when saw an opportunity to score. Mateo saw this opportunity and dribbled up to the right corner and crossed it for Alex to score 3-0. Another assist by Mateo on a throw in to Alex took Ambrit 4-0. In the last minute, Casaletto had their lucky chance and score off a throw before the referee could blow the whistle.

ANSPI u11, scarabocchio: SANTOS 1-4 AMBRIT

Ambrit took a valuable three points today, a victory that owed much to a tremendous performance from Mattia in goal. Three times he was presented with a one-on-one duel with an opposing striker, three times he won the duel - each time holding his nerve, standing his ground and saving the ball!

Ambrit's opening

Santiago and Alberto look on as Nikos wins the toss

goal came in the first period when Alberto swept the ball in off a Nikos corner. Mattia made two great saves and Vittorio made a fantastic tackle to keep the Ambrit boys 1-0 up at the end of the first period.

The second period was very tight. The home side increased the frequency of their attacks and they equalised from a corner as Ambrit's defence stood back and looked instead of attacking the ball.

The score stayed at 1-1 right to the last minute. Then Ambrit were awarded a free-kick and up stepped Nikos, our dead ball expert, to make it 2-0 at the second break!

Ambrit took control of the game in the third period. Nikos scored from another free-kick (does he ever miss!?) and Alberto fired a neat shot into the bottom corner to make it 1 4-1 victory.

Brazil 3-1 Sweden

Brazil dominated today but Sweden kept the score to a respectable 3-1 and, with a bit of luck, they might have taken a point.
After some good early defending and a series of great saves from Max, Peter was unlucky to deflect a Michele shot in for the first goal.
After a series of uncharacteristic misses and a string of lovely touches, Manfredi finally put Brazil 2-0 up. Cristian almost equalised with a powerful shot from the left and then, in the same move, he popped up on the right and powered in a goal to give Sweden some hope.
The score remained at 2-1 right to the end when Manfredi followed up a shot - again well saved by Max - to tap in a rebound.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Ale Z 4, Manfredi 3, Max 3, Peter 2, Cristian 2, Ottaviano 2, Michele 2, Lapo 1, Theo 1, Filippo 1

France 2 - 1 Germany

Una bella partita, molto intensa, condizionata forse dai leggeri acciacchi delle due giocatrici più rappresentative delle due squadre, Matilde e Allison, capaci comunque di andare in gol entrambe e di offrire una bella prestazione. È la Germania ad andare in vantaggio a causa di una fatale indecisione  della difesa transalpina, che permette ad Allison di scagliare un violento tiro da fuori. L'1-0 a zero scuote la Francesi che, guidate dalla grinta di Ameli e Matilde, trovano il pareggio con un tiro da fuori della stessa Matilde, su cui Virginia - sino a quel momento una delle migliori in campo - decide di andare con i piedi e lascia passare la palla...
Quando la partita sembra avviata verso il pareggio, ecco che su cross di Matilde si avventa di testa Ameli, che batte tutti sul tempo e infila il pallone all'angolino!
Peccato per la Germania che aveva ben resistito, grazie alla bella prestazione in difesa di Selina e Virginia. Bene le Francesi, con Sofia, Matilde e una scatenata Ameli, oggi Player of the Match.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Ameli 5, Matilde 3, Allison 3, Sofia 3, Selina 3, Virginia 2, Lucy 1, Natalie 1.

Spain - Portugal

This Iberian derby brought together two teams who had won their respective opening matches but Portugal dominated this one.
Niccolo' arrived late, with his side already 1-0 down to an Aden opener, and then proceeded to score an own-goal to make it 2-0; Giacomo made it 3-0 and Portugal looked to be in control.
Guillermo was unlucky to see a shot come back off the post but his next attempt sailed into the top corner to make it 3-1. A comeback was in the air... but Tommy's first goal crushed the nascent hope and the three-goal margin was restored. It could have been 5-1 but Niccolo' made a fantastic interception off Giuseppe's shot.
But then the game was lit up by two gems. The first from Guillermo, who finished off a neat passing move involving Gavin and Pietro. And then Ale N drifted out to the right and put in a cross that was slightly behind Jacopo. Jacopo adjusted his stance and reached the ball with an acrobatic scissors kit to make it 5-2. Tommy aded the final goal.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Giuseppe 4, Jacopo 3, Ale N 3, Guillermo 3, Gavyn 3, Tiberio 2, Aden 1, Tommy C 1, Niccolo' 1

ANSPI u13: Ambrit 7-1 Santos

Four more goals today!

With Santos sitting in second place in the table, this was an eagerly-awaited clash and Ambrit didn't disappoint!
After a quiet start, Alex suddenly woke up after 6 minutes and, in the space of 5 minutes, he banged home a hat-trick, the second of which was a jewel, driven with his right foot from 20 meters into the opposite top corner. The third was followed a nice team passing move, with Mateo supplying the final assist.
Ambrit's assault on their opponents goal continued unabated. Elias F struck the crossbar and Pietro struck the left post; Eric dealt capably with the only danger from a Santos, a well-struck free kick.
Pietro began the second period as he had ended the first, this time striking the other post. Giorgio, on at the interval, battled away down the right and was rewarded with the fourth goal when his hassling put the last defender in trouble.

Top of the Table!

Santos pulled a goal back but Alex scored his fourth with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner to make it 5-1 at the second interval.
Elias scored early in the last period, Alex struck the bar and Giacomo made it 7-1.
TEAM: Eric; Joel, Elias F, Elias EZ; Mateo, Pietro, Alex; Giacomo; Giorgio, Ludovico.

ANSPI u11: Ambrit 5-2 Vigna Pia Bianco

Ambrit u11: a resounding home win today!

Out of the blocks quickly this morning, Ambrit's Scarabocchio team took hold of the game early on and never let go.
An early save from Mattia served to wake the team up and then, after only 4 minutes, Nikos did his thing... scoring yet another goal from a free kick, this another spectacular kick from just inside the halfway line! He then followed up minutes later with an even more spectacular free kick into the top corner: 2-0! With Vigna Pia still reeling, Santiago completed the long range assault when he met a clearance and whacked it straight back in over the goalkeeper. Only 11 minutes on the clock and Ambrit were cruisin'!
Lorenzo cut inside his marker and placed an accurate shot past the goalkeeper to make it 4-0 at the first interval.
Vigna Pia collected themselves for the second period and managed to get forward more often. They did occasionally leave themselves open at the back though and Caio exploited the space very well, his pass finding Lorenzo free in the middle to make it 5-0. Vigna Pia replied to make it 5-1 at the second interval.
Ambrit looked tired during the third period and Vigna Pia scored again to close the gap but Ambrit took the three points.
TEAM: Mattia; Bernardo, Santiago, Vittorio, Carlo, Lukas; Alberto, Caio, Nikos; Lorenzo

Spain 5-0 Sweden

Spain served notice to all today that they are not to be underestimated as they handed out a five goal thrashing to Sweden.
Spain dominated the opening exchanges. Niccolo' brought a fine save out of Max and Pietro should have scored but missed. Guillermo opened the scoring with a good turn and a reverse shot low down in the corner of the goal.
Niccolo' made it 2-0 and Mateo finished well from outside the area to make it three. Tiberio was largely untroubled at the other end and Spain, while they added two more goals through Guillermo and Niccolo', would have won by an even greater margin but for some lazy finishing and some good goalkeeping from Max.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Niccolo' 6, Guillermo 4, Max 3, Cristian 3, Paul 2, Joel 1, Mateo 1, Gavyn 1 

Portugal 2-0 England

A fascinating tussle saw Portugal edge out England with two late goals from Aden and Tommy. The English defended well but posed little threat going forward. The Portugese took time to find their rhythm but did create lots of chances; it was poor finishing and good defence that kept the scoreline down
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Lucrezia 4, Ale N 3, Tommy C 3, Virginia 2, Aden 2, Allison 2, Annie 2, Jacopo 1, Selina 1, Sofia dM 1

Belgium 3-2 Brazil

Belgium got off to a great start today, defeating Brazil with a last-minute penalty after Ale Z's spectacular handball to block a certain goal.

Antony had almost opened the scoring in the very first minute with a beautiful shot from 25 meters that struck the outside of the post. Julian had an early chance to but he didn't catch it well with his left foot and the ball spun wide.

Belgium did take the lead though when Alex fed the ball to Julian and he passed to Antony who scored.

Brazil came right back at them though and Manfredi first set up Ottaviano for an equaliser and then put Brail ahead. Alex struck the crossbar with a ferocious shot and then he played in Anthony for the equaliser.

Manfredi then forced Louis into an excellent save down low to his right and Federico made a good save at the other end from Julian. The match looked to be cruising towards a draw but Belgium's final flourish drew Federico out of position and forced the penalty that was cooly converted by Daniel.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Alex 4, Manfredi 3, Antony 3, Ale Z 3, Michele 3, Riccardo 2, Louis 1, Ottaviano 1, Daniel 1

Spring Intramural Begins Tomorrow

The Spring Intramural begins tomorrow with a cracker: hot favourites Brazil take on a fancied Belgium in a sell-out match.

Can Federico keep all his talented players happy and in-line? Can Jerry steer his G7-dominated team to success? 

Find out tomorrow!

REMINDER

The England team competing in the Boys' IM will be made up of Girls so that our Girls' team can get in some extra practice for April's Med Cup.

In matches against England, the other teams will field 7 players (versus 8) and, in these games, boys will be limited to 3 touches.

ANSPI u13: Real Muratella 1-5 Ambrit

Sunday’s game started with the coach arriving late but showed up 2 min before kickoff. The boys were already organized and ready to play. After the first 15 minutes of the match, Ambrit was up 4 goals, two by Alex and the other two by Pietro. The second half Giorgio, Mateo, and Joel went in for Ludovico, Pietro and Giacomo.
Ambrit continued to play a quick paced game with Alex scoring a third goal from midfield. By this point Real was desperate for a goal, they pushed through our defense and got one in just in time before 2nd period whistle.
Scary moment in the the 3rd period with Pietro running into the defence wall, gaining us a penalty. Beautifully shot by Mateo but their goalie predicted his shot and saved it.

ANSPI u11: San Leonardo 5-1 Ambrit

Ambrit faced a difficult challenge today - away from home and on a smaller pitch.
The home side got off to a quick start and Ambrit, who failed to match them for determination and alertness early on, found themselves trailing 3-0 at the first break.
Changes were made, words were spoken and Ambrit came out for the second period with a different mind set. Now they were challenging their opponents more quickly and closing down the spaces earlier - especially Santiago, what a game he had! - and Lorenzo was beginning to find some room up front; he tested the goalkeeper twice in the space of a minute and drew applause from the onlookers. Caio and Alberto also forged a good chance that ended with the ball striking a post. And Mattia, in goal, made a series of breath-taking saves. Nonethess, the home side did score again to lead 4-0 at the second break.
But Ambrit heads didn't drop and they re-emerged for the last period ready to contest every ball... and they did. Nikos scored another brilliant free kick to make the scoreline respectable and his team-mates can all go home happy in the knowledge that they gave it heir best shot today.
TEAM: Mattia; Vittorio, Bernardo, Santiago, Lukas; Alberto, Zach, Caio, Nikos, Lorenzo.

Teachers 2-4 Grade 8

An FIGC investigation is underway into the students' crucial second goal today, a shot from Giuseppe that was going wide until deflected towards goal by... his mother!
Things started off well for the teachers when Mr piccolo turned neatly and drove a shot past Federico but celebrations were short-lived as Giuseppe found room on the left and beat Mr Martin with a well-placed shot to the top corner.
The students then took the lead with the now infamous 'Westelaken' goal but the teachers didn't panic... not until Manfredi raced onto a throw-in with a perfectly-timed run and blasted a perfectly-struck shot to make it 3-1.
The teachers' response was to launch high ball after high ball but Ale Z and Giuseppe dealt with it and, taking advantage of a quick break from the back, Matilde slotted home a fourth goal.
The teachers kept trying though and were rewarded with a late consolation goal from Mr Paolo that provided a brief spark of hope that was extinguished shortly afterwards by the referee's final whistle.
WINNING FORMATION: Federico, Peter, Giuseppe, Ale Z, Lucrezia, Niccolo', Manfredi, Matilde

Teachers 3-2 Grade 7

The seventh graders put up a good fight but the teachers live to fight another day... well, tomorrow - against G8.
Max went off the pitch with an early injury and he was replaced by Louis. Mr Matteo took him by surprise with a snapshot from midfield and Mr piccolo sneaked a second goal in directly from a corner.
Alex Delve put his team back in the game with a perfectly placed shot past Mr Chad but the teachers stayed two goals in front thanks to a thunderbolt from Mr Paolo on the left.
G7 fought back and won a corner; Gavyn raced in to meet it: 3-2. G7 fought hard in the last few minutes for a third goal to claim a draw but time ran out and the teachers stay unbeaten!

ANSPI Scarabocchio (u11): Ambrit 3-4 Empire APD

Ambrit's u11 team put in a great performance tonight and were very unfortunate to come away with nothing at the end.
Alberto supplied two excellent assists for Lorenzo to bang home two first period goals that put the home side in a comfortable position at the first break. Bernard, Vittorio and Carlo were a solid unit at the back and the visitors never really threatened Santiago's goal.
In the second period, Lukas came in for Alberto and Empire made three changes. These fresh legs put Ambrit in a bit of trouble and it was soon 2-1. But Ambrit continued to press and, from a free kick 15m out, Nikos bent a perfect shot into the top corner to restore the two goal margin.
Alberto came back in for the last period and the game was now end-to-end excitement. Empire's dangerous number 7 - strong in defence and fast in attack - was putting Ambrit under more and more pressure and the equaliser came with just 7 minutes left on the clock. Both sides continued to attack; Ambrit struck a post and forced the opposing goalkeeper into at least two saves. At the other end, Santiago was alert to all threats and saved two or three Empire chances.
Then, with just two minutes left, disaster struck. The Empire centre-forward turned unexpectedly and his snapshot took goalkeeper and defence unaware: 4-3 to the visitors.
Ambrit now need to put this defeat behind them and start again on Saturday!
Difficult to pick out Ambrit's best player tonight because they all played so well. Santiago was not at fault for any of the goals and he played very well. Carlo was a rock in defence and nothing got past him. Bernard won tackle after tackle and passed the ball well into midfield. Vittorio was everywhere, winning balls in defence and joining the attack to great effect. Alberto's touch and vision in the first period opened up chances for everybody and Nikos was always looking to break quickly and effectively on the right. Lukas did a good marking job when he came in but the last word goes to Lorenzo, who was... outstanding! He chased, harried and never gave up on any ball; his control was good, he was strong and his link play was exemplary.
Bravi tutti!!

Teachers 5-1 Grade 6

The teachers warmed up for tomorrow's tough challenge against G7 with a comfortable win over a willing but outclassed G6.
Goals from Mr Alessandro, Mr Paolo and Mr Piccolo put the teachers 3-0 before the sixth graders managed a shot on goal. Cristian and Mateo had chances but Mr Alessandro stole in to finish off Mr piccolo's shot to make it 4-0.
Mateo then pulled one back with the Goal of the Game - a superbly curled shot into the top corner, giving Mr Chad no chance in goal. Mr Chad made amends shortly afterwards, thundering forward to score off a corner.

CALCIOMERCATO BOYS 2018 Tutti gli affari e i gossip!

Tiberio fa follie per Niccolò: 60 milioni! Cifre da capogiro, alla Neymar o alla Coutinho!!!
Lorenzo a 25 milioni alla Svezia! Anthony per 30 milioni al Belgio!
Asta segreta per Giuseppe...se la aggiudica per 40 milioni al Portogallo!
Asta feroce per Manfredi: va al Brasile di Federico per 63 milioni!!!
50 milioni per Peter: follie di Federico...
Prezzo interessantissimo per Daniel: 41 milioni! Belgio per lui!
Al Portogallo va Jacopo per 21 milioni, così come Tommaso per 10 milioni.
Cristian va alla Svezia per 35 milioni!
Ancora il Portogallo protagonista: Alessandro N per 39 milioni!
Ottaviano al Brasile per 11 milioni.
Asta segreta per Ale Z: se lo aggiudica il Brasile per 25 milioni. In questo momento sembra la squadra da battere!
Ivan si sentirà a casa nella Spagna, acquistato da Tiberio per 17 milioni.
Alex Delve sul mercato: pochi i soldi rimasti... se lo aggiudica per 22 milioni il Belgio!
Gavyn, conteso con i pochi soldi rimasti, va alla Spagna per 12 milioni.
Elias va al Belgio per 22 milioni!
La Spagna punta tutto su Pietro DP per 26 milioni!
Michele e Joel, ultimi estratti, vengono assegnati secondo i fondi rimasti: Michele al Brasile per 16 milioni e Joel alla Svezia.

A colpo d'occhio sembra che i capitani di Brasile, Belgio e Portogallo abbiano fatto davvero un ottimo lavoro!!!

Buon torneo!

Spring Intramural - Teams

With the January transfer window closing tomorrow, here are the teams so far...

Belgium	England	Brazil	Portugal	Spain	Sweden
Jerry	Girl 01	Federico	Bernardo	Tiberio	Theo
Louis	Girl 02	Raphael	Cesare	Manuel	Max
M'angelo	Girl 03	Tommy S	Aden	Mateo	Lorcan
Julian	Girl 04	Lapo	Andrea	Paul	Filippo
Pietro B	Girl 05	Riccardo	Ludovico	Alex C	Alioune
Giorgio	Girl 06	Giacomo S	Giacomo O	Guillermo	Elias EZ
Pietro T	Girl 07	Manfredi	Giuseppe	Niccolò	Saverio
Anthony	Girl 08	Ottaviano	Jacopo	Ivan	Peter
Daniel	Girl 09	Ale Z	Tommaso	Gavyn	Cristian
Alex D	Girl 10	Michele	Ale N	Pietro DP	Joel
Elias F	Girl 11				Lorenzo
	Girl 12

Iran	France	Japan	Germany
Lucrezia	Alina	Francesca	Eve
Eleonora	Lucy	Sofia C	Shosannah
Naomi	Celeste	Mari	Clio
Aurora B	Ameli	Sofia S	Gabeen
Maria Carolina	Linh	Michelle	Parveen
Vanessa	Emma C	Giorgia	Julieta
Gaia dR	Matilde	Annie	Allison
Gea	Natalie	Mia	Selina
	Sofia dM	Carolina